HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker University baseball team split its Saturday (Feb. 1) doubleheader against the Chowan University Hawks to kick off the 2020 season.

The Cobras won a thriller in Game 1 by defeating Chowan 8-6, but dropped Game 2 by a score of 11-3.

Game One

After Chowan scored first in the top of the second inning, the Cobras came back to tie it in the bottom of the third with a Phill Griffor RBI single, and took the lead an inning later courtesy of an RBI knock by Trevor Adamo.

Coker broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth, scoring six runs on four hits to take an 8-2 lead. After the Hawks hit back to back homers in the eighth inning, senior Drake Knight came in and shut the door, getting the final four outs for the save and the 8-6 victory.

Game Two

Phill Griffor continued his great day at the plate, getting two more hits after finishing game one with two hits and an RBI. Vito Castronovo also had success in both games as the designated hitter, totaling three hits and two runs batted in.

Freshman Chris Watkins struck out five while only allowing two hits over the course of four innings, but the Chowan Hawks still came away victorious by a score of 11-3.

Vito Castronovo was named the McDonald's Player of the Game, totaling three hits and two RBI's on the day.

The Cobras will be back in action on Sunday (Feb. 2) when they play game three of the series against Chowan. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m., with live coverage available at www.cokercobras.com