Coker Softball Splits Doubleheader with Limestone

HARTSVILLE, S.C.- The Coker University softball team split its doubleheader against Limestone on Thursday (Mar. 25). The Cobras lost game one 5-4, before rallying to win game two 10-8.

Game 1

Kelsi Scott was up to bat first for Coker, hitting a single up the middle. She advanced to second on Cuthbertson's sacrifice bunt before stealing third and scoring on a throwing error. Kayla Oswell later scored on a single from Mikayla Goodwin to give the Cobras a 2-0 lead. Limestone would notch its first run on the board from a wild pitch in the third. Goodwin laced a single to right center scoring Chloe Pelham in the process in the third to put the Cobras ahead 3-1. Limestone would plate two runs in the fourth to tie the game at three, before Goodwin would single down the left field line in the fifth to score Pelham and regain Coker's lead at 4-3. A two-run home run for Limestone in the sixth inning would give the Saints the lead back, putting the game at its eventual final score.

Pelham led the Cobras with two runs scored, while Scott and Goodwin notched three hits a piece. Goodwin matched her season high with three RBI for the Cobras. Pitcher Hannah Fisher led with four strikeouts. Isabelle Mullen, who made her return to the circle for the first time this season, notched one strikeout.  

Game 2

Limestone took the 1-0 lead in the top of the first, before Scott scored on Oswell's RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Limestone would build a five-run lead at 6-1 over the next four innings, before a Pelham double scored Scott for Coker's second run in the fifth. After Limestone tacked on two more runs in the sixth, Coker responded in a big way with eight two-out runs in the inning to rally from behind and earn the win and the split on the day. Coker was able to load the bases with two outs in the inning, with the top of the order coming up. Scott was hit by a pitch to score Ava Jay, before pinch-hitter Bailey Douglas singled through the right side to score Brooklyn Stueness and Jessica McWhorter. Pelham would deliver another big blow in the inning, tying the game with a three-run bomb to left to score Scott and Douglas. Oswell would extend the inning with a two-out single, before Makenzie Harmon came on to pinch run. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Harmon would come around to score on a bounding single through the left side by Goodwin to put the Cobras ahead 9-8. Goodwin would later score on a Limestone fielding error, before the Cobras would close out the victory in the seventh. 

Pelham, Oswell and Jay recorded two hits apiece, while four others notched hits in the victory. Scott scored three runs in the game, while seven others also crossed the plate for Coker in the game. Pelham drove in four runs, while Douglas also brought home two runs and Scott, Oswell and Goodwin each drove in one. Jordyn Goodman (4-1) picked up the victory in the circle, tossing a complete game allowing four earned runs. She also walked two and struck out one. 

The Cobras are back in action at home on Saturday (Mar. 27) for a conference doubleheader with nationally-ranked Lincoln Memorial. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.

McDonald's Player of the Game - Chloe Pelham