Orangeburg, S.C. -- The Coker College baseball team rallied from a 5-2 deficit, scoring six runs in the ninth-inning, en route to defeating Claflin University 8-5 in a non-conference contest Wednesday at Historic Mirmow Field.
 
The tough loss dropped Claflin to 1-10 on the season, while Coker improved to 9-1.
 
The Panthers scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to wipe away a 2-1 Coker lead to go up 4-2. Claflin run production in the inning came off the bats of Jonathan Parnell II with a run-scoring double, Darrell Langston on an RBI single and Clyde Parker's sacrifice fly that scored a run.
 
The Panthers tacked on another run in the eighth as Kyriq Woods had an RBI single, giving Claflin a 5-2 lead heading into the final inning of play.
 
In the top of the ninth, Coker scored six runs, of which three were unearned, off Panther loser Elijah McKinnis. He is 0-2 on the season.
 
Claflin starter Alfie Carter allowed just four hits and a run in five innings of work before given away to the Panther bullpen.
 
Jake Moore, who relieved Drake Knight in the eighth for Coker, retired six of the last eight Panther batters in picking up the win.
 
Parnell II led Claflin at the plate with a 4-for-5 performance that included a RBI. Parnell II lifted his season batting averaging to .395 in 11 games.
 
Langston, who leads the Panthers in hitting at .409 for the season, had a 3-for-5 day with an RBI.

Claflin collected 10 hits on the day.
 
Coker was led by RJ Ball with a home run.
 
Claflin will continue its homestand this weekend with a three-game series against Bluefield State College.
 
The series kickoffs Friday with a 4 p.m. contest followed by 1 p.m. games on Saturday and Sunday.