HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Erskine College softball team (0-2) lost both games of a doubleheader against Coker University (2-0) at Saleeby-Stokes Softball Field on Thursday to begin the 2026 season.

THE ESSENTIALS 
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | CC Digital Network
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: Coker 15-14 Erskine
After inclement weather pushed the Fleet's season opener back a week, it was as if the wait was worth it as Erskine played in a classic to begin the year. Coker jumped out to an early 5-0 lead but the Fleet exploded for a seven-spot in the second with Kara West, Savannah Koester, and Hannah Lewis playing key roles before Gabby Burroughs launched Erskine's first home run of the season, a two-run blast to break the tie and put the Fleet in front, 7-5. The Cobras responded with another five-spot in the third and the Fleet's offense went quiet until the seventh, when they woke back up in a big way. West got it started with an RBI single before Ava Rogers followed with one of her own, and then Lewis delivered again, this time a two-run single before coming around to score on a wild pitch to get Erskine within two. Burroughs' RBI single helped the Fleet draw a run closer and then Kennedy Crouch hit a game-tying RBI double as the Fleet posted another seven-run frame. However, the Fleet left the go-ahead run at third and, in the bottom half, a leadoff walk came around to score as the Fleet were walked off in heartbreaking fashion.

Game 2: Coker 7-3 Erskine
In the second game of the day, Coker again opened the scoring in the first inning, but Emily Johnson's two-run single got the Fleet on the board and in the lead in the second. Johnson provided again with a bunt single in the fourth that scored Riley Rabon to make it 3-1. Layla Clayton, making her first collegiate start, settled in in the circle after surrendering a run in the first and kept the Fleet in front heading into the sixth inning. However, the hosts posted a five-run frame in the sixth to go back in front, meaning the Fleet needed seventh-inning magic again. Erskine worked a pair of walks in the frame but could not get the tying run to plate.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine has five days until its back in action for its home opener, when USC Aiken (2-2) comes to town on Wednesday at 1 p.m.

MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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