Arnold Dazzles in Series Opening Win over Brevard

By: Jake Miller

HARTSVILLE, S.C.- Coker baseball defeated Brevard 5-0 in the South Atlantic Conference series opener on Friday (Apr. 14) behind a one-hit shutout from Forrest Arnold. 

Coker got off to a fast start in the game, scoring in the home half of the first. The Cobras did so without hitting a ball out of the infield.  An infield single from Bryson Conner started the frame, before a bunt single from Lake Lybrand gave the home team two runners on and no outs. Darius Coldiron sacrificed both runners over 90 feet, before Thomas Lopez grounded out to short and Conner scored on the play. The Cobras scored the rest of their runs right in a row, scoring once in the third, twice in the fourth and once in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead for good. An RBI-single from Coldiron scored Clint Allen in the third put the Cobras up 2-0. In the fourth, Brooks Estrada's RBI groundout scored Tanner Crosby, while a double steal later in the inning allowed Conner to swipe second and Allen to cross the plate stealing home. Coker's final run in the fifth was scored on an RBI single by Crosby that scored AJ Strnad.

Arnold (5-2) carried a no-hit effort into the ninth, before a leadoff double spoiled the bid. That would be the only hit the senior allowed, as he fired his second complete-game shutout of the season. Arnold walked one and struck out six on 107 pitches, throwing 71 for strikes.

Allen paced the offense with a 3-3 effort, while Conner and Crosby each recorded two hits. Lybrand and Coldiron each chipped in one base knock in the win.

The Cobras (20-18, 9-12 SAC) come back on Saturday (Apr. 15) for a twinbill with the Tornados beginning with a nine-inning game starting at 12:00 p.m. and a seven-inning game slated for 3:00 p.m. 

McDonald's Player of the Game- Forrest Arnold