cobras preview
The Coker University baseball team is coming off a hard fought weekend home series against the Tusculum University Pioneers. Coker's game earlier in the week against the Emmanuel College Lions was cancelled due to weather.
Phill Griffor had a great weekend at the plate for the Cobras with a home run and four RBI's. At the top of the order, Grant Thompson led the way with six hits, including two doubles. Griffin Hollifield was great out of the bullpen, throwing 3.2 scoreless innings. Aaron Mitchell had a good start in game two against Tusculum, striking out seven through 4.2 innings of work.
This week, the Cobras will play host to first-year baseball program, the Columbia International University Rams. On Friday and Saturday (Mar. 13 - Mar. 14) the Cobras will travel to Newberry, S.C. to take on South Atlantic Conference rival the Newberry College Wolves.
players to watch
Phill Griffor (2B/1B)
Phill Griffor, a junior from China, Michigan, leads the Cobras with three home runs this season and 21 RBI's. Griffor has shown some versatility in the infield, playing both first and second base. Over the weekend against Tusculum, Phill homered and had four RBI's.
Aaron Mitchell (P)
Aaron Mitchell, a junior from Charlotte, N.C., has been used both out of the bullpen and as a starter this season for the Cobras. In last weekend's contest against Wingate, Mitchell pitched 6.1 strong innings out of the bullpen. Over the weekend against Tusculum, Aaron struck out seven over the course of 4.2 innings as the starter.
ciu preview
The Columbia International University Rams enter this week with a 7-13 record, most recently coming off losing two of three against Milligan College. The Rams are members of the NAIA, specifically the Appalachian Athletic Conference in which they have a 2-4 record this season. This 2020 season is the inaugural year for the Rams' baseball program. Jonathan Johnson was hired as the first ever coach for Columbia International, who had a great playing career at Florida State University. Johnson was the seventh overall pick in the 1995 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers.
players to watch
Joshua Hernandez (C/RHP)
Joshua Hernandez, a sophomore from Columbia, S.C., is a transfer from UNC Wilmington. Hernandez leads the team with 25 hits and 13 RBI's. He has also made an impact out of the bullpen, pitching six innings while striking out seven. This past weekend against Milligan College, he had four hits at the plate, while pitching two scoreless innings.
Justin Parish (P)
Justin Parish, a sophomore from Dacula, Georgia, has been the ace on the mount this season for the Rams. He has pitched 27 innings while recording 41 strikeouts, earning two victories. His best pitching performance came against Trinity Baptist on Feb. 7, when he pitched seven innings with 13 K's. This past weekend against Milligan College, he earned the win by pitching 7 innings and only allowing two hits.
newberry preview
The Newberry College Wolves enter this week with a record of 17-5, including a 6-2 clip in South Atlantic Conference play. This past weekend, the Wolves completed a Sunday sweep of UVa-Wise, winning 16-7 and 13-3. Before playing host to the Cobras on Friday and Saturday, the Wolves will welcome the North Greenville University Crusaders on Wednesday. Last season, Newberry won the SAC regular season title with a record of 41-16, and reached the NCAA postseason. Prior to this year, the Wolves were picked to finish second in the conference with seven players named to the preseason All-Conference teams. Three different Wolves were named to the first team: Josh Bookblinder, Tomas Sorcia Jr., and Quinton Driggers.
players to watch
Colin Allman (SS)
Colin Allman, a senior from Tampa, Florida, leads the Wolves with 2 home runs and 18 RBI's so far this season. Prior to the season, he was a preseason All-Conference second team selection. Over the weekend, Allman had four hits and three RBI's against UVa-Wise.
Tomas Sorcia, Jr. (P)
Tomas Sorcia, Jr., a senior from Saluda, S.C., has been an ace on the mound this season for Newberry. He leads the team with 44 strikeouts over the course of 32.2 innings pitched. His best start came against Belmont Abbey, only allowing one hit through 6 innings with 11 strikeouts.