MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan Softball team fell in a non-conference doubleheader against Coker at home despite a frantic comeback in the first contest.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 6, Coker 8 | Chowan 0, Coker 13 (5)
RECORDS | Chowan 17-12, Coker 24-12
LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Hawks Field)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Haley Cooper led the Hawks with three hits on the afternoon.
Kris Neal tallied a three-run home run in the first contest. Beth Walker hit a solo shot in the contest.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One: Chowan 6, Coker 8
Coker loaded the bases in the first inning with two hits and a walk but Shannon Buchanan shut the door with a strikeout.
The Cobras would strike in the second inning on two hits and two walks to take a 3-0 lead.
Haley Cooper would pick up the first hit for the Hawks in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single up the middle but would be left stranded.
Coker added two runs on three hits in the fifth inning to extend lead to 5-0.
Chowan fought back in the bottom of the inning to close the deficit to 5-4. EmaRae Flores sparked the two-out rally with a single up the middle. Miranda Glover doubled to left center to put both runners in scoring position. Mackenzie Taggart singled to plate the first run for the Hawks before Kris Neal cleared the bases with a three-run home run to centerfield.
The Hawks would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth, 6-5. Beth Walker led off the inning with solo home run to left center. Donya Salman and EmaRae Flores drew back-to-back walks to keep up the pressure. Pinch-hitter Shelby Griffis singled to left center to bring home Salman for the go-ahead run with two outs.
Three straight errors to open the top of the seventh allowed Coker to regain the momentum to plate the tying run and take the lead back with the bases loaded, 8-6.
Chowan was unable to muster up another rally in the final at-bat.
Game Two: Chowan 0, Coker 13 (5)
Both teams loaded the bases but were unable to scratch across a run in the opening inning of action. Haley Cooper, Lindsey Stigler, and Beth Walker drew walks with one-out but were left stranded as back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat for the Hawks.
Coker made the free passes hurt in the second inning as the Cobras posted 10 runs on five hits, six walks and a hit-by-pitch.
The Cobras added three runs in the top of the third to extend their lead to 13-0.
Donya Salman broke up the no-hit bid in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single down the left field line. Salman would be stranded at second.
Haley Cooper picked up the final hit for the Hawks in the fifth inning.
UP NEXT
Chowan will look to rebound as the Hawks step back into CIAA play against Elizabeth City State on Saturday, April 7 in Elizabeth City, N.C. First pitch is at 12pm.