Newberry Observer

Cobras take series over Wolves

NEWBERRY — The visiting Cobras of Coker took the conference doubleheader against the Wolves in wins of 11-2 and 4-2 Wednesday.

The Cobras scored seven runs over the opening innings which gave them their large lead over the Wolves in Game One. Newberry would hold Coker scoreless in the third inning, but the Cobras would tack on four more in the remaining two innings.

The Wolves would not go down without a fight thanks to two doubles from Haley Simonds and Daphne Peyton in addition to a triple from Natalie Willis.

Willis, the third batter up, opened the day with that triple sending it into the perfect gap in left field. Tori Caldwell was found out, in her attempt to nab the first run, by the left fielder who sent the ball racing to the third baseman then to the catcher to tag Caldwell inches shy of the plate.

However, Simonds would avenge her teammate by doubling down the right field line, scoring Willis for Newberry’s first run of the day.

In Newberry’s following half inning, Peyton’s double to left field positioned itself perfectly enough to round Haley Wildes.

Both teams would experience a drop-off in scoring as the Wolves were able to hold the Cobras to one run or less over several innings starting in the third. Newberry was persistent trying to make the most of every at bat in Game One, but ultimately left one stranded on one hit in their attempted comeback in the bottom of the fifth.

Coker rebooted and added four more runs to their cause in the final two innings to seal their victory.

In Game Two the Wolves had the Cobras on the ropes, getting on the board first in the opening inning. Caldwell started it off by being walked and was followed by a ground out by Willis, but not before she could advance to second base.

For her fifth home run of the season, Simonds’ launched one deep to center field and brought Caldwell in with her to give Newberry its 2-0 early lead.

The teams would keep one another at bay in the second inning but Coker would score a run in the top of the third to carve themselves on the board. The Cobras rounded three more in the fifth to edge themselves atop the Wolves, but Newberry would keep firing.

In the fourth Simonds singled directly to the pitcher and found herself standing on first base. McKenzie Barneycastle would pinch run for her shortly after. Paige Meyer grounded out to the pitcher but not before Barneycastle could will her way to second base. However, another ground out would conclude the inning for Newberry before Barneycastle could make her way home.

The Wolves mounted another comeback in the sixth where Sydney Patterson singled up the middle to start the inning. Ashely Willis’ sacrifice bunt shifted Patterson to second. However, a batter’s interference and a pop up wrapped the inning up for Newberry.

The combination of pitching and supporting defense kept the Cobras off the board in five different innings in Game Two.

Chelsey Cunningham saw action on the mound in both contests pitching a total of 3.2 innings and gave up no runs. Senior Emily Marchbanks was the starter for Game One and freshman Alyssa Ball got the nod for Game Two. Selice Daley relieved Marchbanks for several innings in Game One.

The visiting Cobras of Coker took the conference doubleheader against the Wolves in wins of 11-2 and 4-2.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web1_Softball-Girls.jpgThe visiting Cobras of Coker took the conference doubleheader against the Wolves in wins of 11-2 and 4-2. Courtesy photo

Staff Report