SALISBURY, N.C. - The Coker College softball team took down Wingate 15-4 in five innnings at the South Atlantic Conference Softball Championship on Saturday (Apr. 27). The Cobras beat the Bulldogs for the third time this season after sweeping them in the regular season and will face the winner of Carson-Newman and Queens tomorrow in the semifinals at 12:30 PM.

The Cobras scored the opening run of the game off of an RBI double by Brianna Strickland. Wingate would tie it up in the second but the tie would not last long as the Cobras exploded for six runs in the third to regain the lead. Ashley Meckley got the run started with a two-run blast to center and Madison King also drove in a pair of runs shortly after. Chloe Pelham and Meckley both reached base for the second time of the innings as they both drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk. After surrendering a run the Cobras tacked on two more thanks to solo home runs by Strickland and Anna Gluhosky. Wingate would plate one in the top half of the inning but Coker respond once again with six more runs in the fifth to extend the lead to 12 runs. Lauren DeWitt got it started with a pinch-hit single that scored two runs and Strickland drove in two more with a double down the left field line. King drove in two more with the fourth home run of the day. The Bulldogs managed to put one up on the board in the top of the inning but it would not be enough.

Strickland led the way offensively as she racked up three hits and four RBI with two doubles and a home run. King also drove in four with her two hits and Meckley drove in three runs on two hits in the win. Gluhosky also recorded a pair of hits while Hannah Goodman, Allyson High, Maria Williamson, and DeWitt all chipped in with a hit.

Christine Carver got the start in the circle and picked up the win after tossing four impressive innings. Carver gave up three runs one six hits and struck out one. Isabelle Mullen came on in relief to pitch the final inning and struck out one batter while giving up a run on three hits.