Orangeburg, S.C. —The Claflin University softball team fell to Coker College 3-0 and 4-3, in a non-conference doubleheader at the Adden Street Field in Orangeburg, S.C. With the losses, the Lady Panthers falls to 2-9 on the season. Coker remains undefeated at 12-0.
After neither team put runs in the first four innings, Allyson High led off the fifth inning with a double to right field. Anna Gluhosky followed with a single to shortstop to give Coker two runners on the pads with no outs. After two strikeouts, Kelsi Bachmann walked for bases loaded with two down. Cacey Simmons singled on the next play to score Alex Alverson, who pinch-ran for High, for the first run of the game. Maria Williamson struck out for the third out of the inning.
The Cobras defense remained solid over the next two innings while scoring two runs in the top of the seventh for the three-run win.
Hannah Price led the team in the hit department with three followed by Simmons with two.
Christine Carve pitched a perfect game to pick up the game one win for Coker. Tiaria Norman who pitched all seven innings was the losing pitcher of record.
Claflin struck first in game two. With one out in the bottom of the first, Jamelah Thomas singled to shortstop and advanced to second off a groundout by Chelise Morman.
With two outs and one on Norman singled to bring Thomas across the plate for the 1-0 lead heading into the second.
The Cobras quickly countered in the second inning. Anna Gluhosky and Diane Servideo crossed home-plate off a double to center field by Anna Gluhosky to give Coker the 2-1 advantage.
After neither team crossed the plate in the next inning, the Cobras put up one run in the fourth and one in the fifth for the 4-1 lead.
The Lady Panthers continued to battle putting up two runs in the bottom of the fifth as Deandra Ealey who pinch hit for Jada Ames scored off a RBI single by Morman and LaKaylin Lee scored off an RBI fielder's choice by Norman.
Yemaya Rich, who went six complete innings was the losing pitcher of record while Nikki Linthicum picked up the win with Carver earning the save.
Claflin will return to action this Friday, Feb. 23, when they travel to Fayetteville State University for a non-conference doubleheader. The Lady Panthers will return home on this Saturday, Feb. 24, when they host Queens College in a doubleheader non-conference matchup. First pitch for game one is set for 1 p.m. with the second game starting at approximately 2:45 p.m.
