Due West, SC – The Flying Fleet scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth, but their rally fell short as Coker took the opening game of the Conference Carolinas series 12-9 Friday afternoon at Grier Field.

The Cobras (14-21, 6-10) would jump on the Fleet for four runs in the top of the first on an RBI single by Daniel Hiatt and a three run home run by Jake Frazier.  Coker would add another run in the second and three more in the fourth to extend their lead to 8-0.  Trailing 11-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Casey Winckowski (Oregon, OH, Owens CC) would blast a three run home run to left centerfield to make it an 11-3 game.  Erskine (22-12, 7-9) would add another run in the seventh on an RBI single by Brian Laznik (Chardon, OH, Lakeland CC), but the Cobras would answer back with a run or their own in the top of the eighth on a RBI single by Nick Fuoco.

Trailing 12-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Zach Smith (Lexington, SC, White Knoll HS) would double to right center to score Luke Danielewicz (Spartanburg, SC, Dorman High School) to make it a 12-5 game.  Erskine would then get RBI singles from John Bolding (Pickens, SC, Pickens HS) and Winckowski to make it a five run game. Chase Corn (Travelers Rest, SC, Blue Ridge HS) would then hit a two run double down the left field line to pull the Fleet to within three runs but the rally would fall short as the Cobras held on for the victory.

Laznik led the Fleet at the plate going 4-5 with an RBI and run scored, while Winckowski was 2-4 with a home run and four RBI’s.  Zach McAllister (Simpsonville, SC, Hillcrest HS) (3-2) took the loss allowing eight runs on seven hits in three innings of work.

Frazier was a perfect 3-3 for the Cobras with a home run and five runs driven in, while Matt Ammons and Fico Kondla both added two hits each.  Tyler Witzel (5-4) picked up the win allowing four runs on eight hits in eight innings of work for Coker.

The two teams will conclude their series with a double header tomorrow starting at 12:00.

Box Score