HARTSVILLE, SC – Coker clinched the first seed in the CVAC Softball Tournament by sweeping Erskine College 4-2 and 2-1 Monday afternoon.  Coker improves to 27-15 overall and 16-4 in the CVAC, while EC drops to 23-15, 13-5 in conference.

Entering today’s games, the Flying Fleet owned a narrow advantage for the top spot in the tournament and Coker needed a sweep to overtake them.  Both games were close but the Cobras did just enough to pull it off.

Erskine grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning but Coker’s first six batters in the bottom half reached base and all four runs scored for the early lead.  Junior Amanda Shelton made it stand, scattering six hits and a walk while striking out five batters.

Christan Morabito went 2-4 with a run scored and Jessica Blackwell had a double, two walks, two RBI and a run scored.  After the big first inning, the Cobras had only two runners in scoring position the rest of the way.

In game two, Coker again scored early and fended off the Fleet in the late innings.  Jacque Stewart led off the second inning with a double and came home on another double by Kimberly Atkinson.  Marie Mascio hit CC’s third double of the inning two batters later and drove in Atkinson for the winning run.

Erskine made it interesting in the seventh inning when they started the inning with three consecutive hits.  EC trailed 2-1 with runners on first and second and no outs in the inning but pitcher Somer Bigham saved the day with three fly outs.  Morabito battled the sun in left field to record the final out.

The Cobras will now prepare for the CVAC Tournament in Hartsville, beginning this Friday, April 22, at 8:00 AM.  Coker will play at noon on Friday against the winner of the eight versus nine game.