Hartsville, S.C.----The Coker College softball team swept a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader over visiting Wingate University Wednesday afternoon at Saleeby-Stokes Field. The Cobras survived 4-3 in game one. The hosts posted a 9-5 triumph in game two. Coker is 21-18 overall and 7-5 in the SAC. Wingate is 22-16 overall and 9-7 in the SAC.
 
Game #1 – Coker 4, Wingate 3
 
Coker scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and made the lead stick in the opener. For Coker, sophomore outfielder Riley Morris (Murrells Inlet, S.C.) had two hits in two at-bats with one run scored. Five teammates had one hit each.
 
Bulldog freshman outfielder Morgan Hendrix (Mocksville, N.C.) was three-for-four with three singles for the visitors. WU senior shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) was two-for-three with an RBI triple. Only two other Bulldogs hit safely in the opener.
 
Wingate took a 1-0 lead in top half of the first, as junior catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) worked a two-out walk. Laskey scored on an RBI triple by Burrell. The Cobras responded in the home half of the first, as sophomore infielder Tayler Barcomb (St. George, S.C.) contributed a three-run homer. Classmate and infield-mate Carley Bailey (Lancaster, S.C.) stroked an RBI double later in the first frame.
 
Wingate put on its rally caps, posting two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Wingate sophomore third baseman Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) did the honors, as she contributed a two-RBI double with two outs. McLaurin moved to third on an error, but the Bulldogs could not get her home.
 
The Bulldogs loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. Coker sophomore right-hander Tabitha Allen (Williamston, S.C.) got out of the jam by inducing a groundout to end the contest. Allen gave up three earned runs on seven hits. She struck out three and walked four.
 
Junior righty Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) took the loss for Wingate. Houser surrendered four earned runs on seven hits. She allowed two walks with no strikeouts. Coker's four-spot in the first inning broke a string of 13 straight scoreless innings for Houser.
 
Game #2 – Coker 9, Wingate 5
 
Coker scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning, breaking a 3-3 tie en route to the victory in the nightcap. Cobra senior outfielder Katelyn Szupello (Port Orange, Fla.) was three-for-four to lead the hosts. Bailey was one of three Coker student athletes with two hits each. Bailey had a three-RBI triple in the pivotal third inning.
 
The Cobras took the early with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Two players contributed RBI, while another run scored on a passed ball. Wingate answered with three unearned runs in the top of the third inning. Junior first baseman Emily Usiak (Matthews, N.C.) had a two-RBI double, while Laskey contributed an RBI sacrifice fly earlier in the frame.
 
Coker posted five runs on four hits in fateful third inning. Senior infielder Ashlee Ellen (Jacksonville, Fla.) contributed the game-winning RBI with a run-scoring double. Bailey's three-RBI triple gave the hosts breathing room.
 
Hendrix had two hits in three tries for the Bulldogs. The Davie County product scored one run. Both Usiak and Laskey had two RBI each. Both teams had 10 hits. Wingate left nine runners on base, while Coker stranded eight.
 
Allen won the nightcap as well. She gave up five runs on 10 hits in her second complete game outing of the day. Allen walked three and struck out one. Wingate senior right-hander Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) took the loss. In 2 1/3 innings, Paul allowed five runs on four hits. She walked two.
 
Wingate returns home Saturday, hosting Brevard for a 1 p.m. SAC twin bill. The Bulldog family will honor Burrell and Paul in Senior Day ceremonies prior to the first contest. Coker will visit Tusculum Saturday at 2 p.m.