Baseballl Downs Newberry, Falls To Limestone To Close Out 2025 Campaign

SALISBURY, NC. - Coker dropped game one to Limestone Friday night before taking down Newberry after a lengthy delay to set up a rematch. The Saints used a late push in the rematch to down Coker, ending their season. 

BY THE NUMBERS:
Scores: G1: Limestone 2, Coker 0 | G2: Coker 6, Newberry 3 | G3: Limestone 7, Coker 5
Records: Coker 30-22 | Limestone 27-26 | Newberry 25-27 
Location: Salisbury, NC. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
G1: 
Friday nights opener was a pitchers duel between the Cobras and Saints, as each team put together scoreless innings through the first five. The sixth inning proved to be the difference maker, as Limestone plated two runs in the inning on two hits to take the lead. 

While Coker continued to fight over the course of the final four innings, it was Limestone's starter Colt Wilkins who continued to be an issue for the Cobras. He went on to pitch all nine innings in his outing and held Coker scoreless to help Limestone down the Cobras on opening night 2-0. 

Coker was led by Jaylen Mack at the plate, as he roped two hits. On the mound Coker saw Casey Cleghorn and Britton Adams have stellar outings as the two only allowed two runs on the night while striking out six. 

G2:
The Cobras came out swinging in game two after a weather delay of almost 23 hours. They scratched the first run of the game in the first inning. Gabriel Santiago started the inning with an infield single, and just two batters later Jalyen Mack singled to right field to plate Santiago. 

Coker turned the ball over to Tyler Satterley to start the game. He pitched 3.0 innings, while holding the Wolves to just one run on the evening. Newberry stormed back, and took the lead in the sixth inning after plating two, taking a 3-2 lead into the final few innings. 

In the seventh, the Cobras showed once again that they are comfortable with playing from behind. They plated three runs in the inning on four hits to take a 5-3 lead. After singles from Ick Cirino, Hunter Poole, and Jaylen Mack, the Cobras found themselves having the bases loaded. Kyler Odom plated the first run of the inning on a groundout to the right side, and one batter later Alex Lazar gave Coker the lead. He ripped a single to center field, scoring two, helping Coker take a comfortable lead. 

Coker added another run in the eighth courtesy of Hunter Poole, and the combination of Britton Adams and Cooper Thomas helped close the game down, giving Coker a 6-3 win. 

G3:
Unlike the first meeting between the two in the tournament, game three had runs early. Limestone plated two in the first inning on three hits to jump out to an early lead. Coker quickly responded in the bottom half of the first and second though. 

Jaylen Mack continued his stellar weekend with a double to right field to plate Hunter Poole to cut the lead in half. The Cobras then tied the game in the second courtesy of a Gabriel Santiago bases loaded walk. 

After two scoreless frames, Coker took the lead in the fifth. Ick Cirino led the inning off with a leadoff hit by pitch, and Hunter Poole brought him in with a sacrifice fly to give Coker a 3-2 lead. In the top of the seventh, Limestone took control. The Saints added five runs on four hits, and used a grand slam to take a 7-3 lead.

In the ninth, Coker wouldn't be turned away quietly. Rocco Wojcik walked to start the inning, and two batters later senior Jacob Yarberry swatted his first long ball of the year to cut the deficit down to 7-5. The Saints pitching quickly settled in and retired the final two outs to move on to the championship series, eliminating Coker from the tournament. 

UP NEXT:
This marks the end of Coker's season. The Cobras put together their second straight 30 win season.