Cobras Fall to Braves, 6-2

by Christian Stryker, SID Coker College
3/18/2009

Hartsville, S.C. - Four runs in the first two innings proved to be the difference maker in the Coker versus UNC-Pembroke baseball game on Wednesday afternoon, as the Braves defeated the Cobras 6-2. The loss drops the Cobras to 14-12 on the season, while UNC-P improves to 19-9.

The Brave hitters jumped on Coker starter Chris Thomas (Bluffton, SC) quickly, scoring three runs in the first inning and following it up with a single run in the second. Coker plated a run in the third inning, but after four scoreless innings, the Braves struck again, this time scoring a run in the eighth and ninth innings. The Cobras managed a run in the bottom of the ninth and looked to be on a come back with bases loaded and two outs, but Coker was unable to capitalize.

Thomas (4-3) took the loss for Coker, allowing three runs on three hits in an inning of work, while Josh Bagley (2-1) picked up the win, allowing just one run on four hits in six strong innings.

BK Harfst (Arvada, CO), Brian Luchsinger (Farmingville, NY) and Brinley Griffin (Port St. John, FL) all had two hits for the Cobras, with Harfst picking up an RBI, while Trevin Taber (Chesnee, SC) had a pinch hit RBI single.

For Pembroke, Jordan Pegram was the leading hitter, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a run scored, while Kevin Dietrich, Derek Funk and Seth Kivett each had two hits, with Dietrich and Kivett hitting doubles.

Coker will return to the diamond on Saturday, when they host Pfeiffer University in a Conference Carolinas double-header. Game one starts at noon.