ST. AUGUSTINE – Flagler College used a seven-run sixth inning to win the first game 7-1 and Coker College had two pitchers combine to toss a four-hitter to take game two, 3-1, to wrap up play in the Old Coast Classic Sunday afternoon at Flagler Field.
Flagler finished with an even record of 7-7 overall. Coker leaves with a 10-2 mark.
"Overall, I am happy with how we played this weekend," said head coach
Kathryn Geouge. "Our pitching staff did a great job keeping batters off balance and our defense was solid. We need to continue to working hard on our offense and situational execution."
In the opener, both teams had trouble pushing across a run in the first 5 ½ innings.
The Saints broke the drought in the home-half of the sixth as they sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs on six hits.
Tatum Morgan got everything started for Flagler as she was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.
Maria Kappos followed with a single to chase Coker starter Christine Carver (2-1).
Natalie Murphy drew a walk to load the bases.
Genevieve Mangini drove in two runs with her single to right field off reliever Taylor Forehand.
Morgan Murphy drew a walk to re-load the bases and Carver came back in to pitch for the Cobras.
After two outs were recorded, and one more run crossed the plate,
Megan Miller hit a two-run single to right-center, and two batters later, Morgan hit a two-run single down the left field line.
The Cobras were able to plate a run in the seventh. Chloe Pelham hit a one-out double and later scored on a sacrifice fly.
Kyra Gipson (4-1) scattered six hits and allowed one run to record the victory. She fanned six batters. Gipson retired the first nine-of-10 batters she faced.
Garland Evans collected three singles and scored a run for the Saints. Kappos singled twice and scored a run. Morgan, Mangini, and Miller each had two runs batted in.
Carver allowed four runs on eight hits for Coker. Forehand just face three batters and allowed two walks, one hit, and three runs.
Pelham went 2-for-3 with a double for the Cobras.
In game two, Ashley Meckley drew a one-out walk and two batters later, she was able to score on a single to left by Maria Williamson. Meckley, moving on the pitch motored all the way around as the flare dropped in front of a diving Miller, and by the time the ball was corralled by Flagler's shortstop, Kappos, Meckley was already in a sprint to home plate.
It was Williamson again in the third inning as she hit a two-run double to right-center to stake the Cobras to a 3-0 lead.
That was more than enough offense for Isabelle Mullen (5-0) who scattered three hits and allowed one unearned run in five innings. Forehand earned her second save of the season after pitching two scoreless innings to close the game.
Mangini had one of the four Flagler hits, a double, and she scored the lone run.
Morgan, Kappos, and
Natalie Murphy each had a single.
Katlyn McCue (1-3) surrendered five hits and three runs in 2 1/3 innings in the circle.
Alayna Savaglio tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings. She walked three and struck out five.
Up next for the Saints is the Florida Tech Invitational next weekend at the USAAA Space Coast Complex in Viera, Florida. Flagler opens play on Saturday (Feb. 23) with Palm Beach Atlantic University at 2:30 p.m. and then takes on Barry University at 5 p.m.
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