Cobras Complete Conference Sweep of UVA-Wise

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker baseball team completed the three game sweep of South Atlantic Conference opponent UVA-Wise on Saturday (Feb. 26), winning both games of a doubleheader.

In game one, Wise would take the early 1-0 in the top of the first before Coker struck back with two runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning. Kody Hanna scored on a Cavalier passed ball, then Jackson Williams singled to right field to drive in Brady Jeffcoat for a 2-1 lead through two innings. The Cobras added one by way of a Cory Listing fielder's choice RBI, then tacked on two more when pinch hitter Nick Leonard laced a double down the left field line for a 5-1 margin after four innings.

The Cavaliers added two runs of their own in the top of the fifth inning, before Coker responded through Ashby Vining's RBI single to bring Jeffcoat around to score. Wise rallied to tie the game and eventually take an 8-7 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. The Cobras would not give in however, as Phill Griffor led off with a single and then scored on Reilly Hall's RBI triple to tie the game at 8-8. Freshman Brady Jeffcoat delivered the winning run on a walk-off sacrifice fly to right field. Jonathan Ford came on in relief to pick up his first win of the season.

In game two, Coker jumped out to the lead in the first inning behind a Brady Jeffcoat two RBI single that scored Griffor and Hall. They would add another on a Kody Hanna RBI double down the left field line to make the score 3-0 after three innings. Wise got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth, but the Cobras would respond in the bottom of the fourth inning by scoring on a passed ball to make the score 4-1, which would hold through the last out.

Coker rode the strong performance on the mound from Chris Watkins, as he went six strong innings. Watkins only allowed two hits and one run, while striking out ten Cavalier batters. Freshman Cooper Thomas came on in relief, striking out two batters en route to his first career save.

The Cobras will be back on the diamond Tuesday (Mar. 1), when they visit the Flying Fleet of Erskine College. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. with live video and statistics available at www.cokercobras.com.