Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Softball Team (37-9, 14-2), ranked No. 24 in NCAA Division II, swept a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader from Coker (12-29-1, 3-13), 2-0 and 5-2, Wednesday afternoon at Bears Field.

Game One – Lenoir-Rhyne 2,
Coker 0
Lenoir-Rhyne senior Maryann Hoskins (Havelock, N.C.) improved to 13-6 on the year after throwing a two-hit shutout.  Hoskins tied a career-high with 13 strikeouts as well in the win over the Cobras.

Lenoir-Rhyne junior outfielder Dakota Keller (Mooresboro, N.C.) opened the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning, her fifth of the year, while sophomore shortstop Madison Carter (Bessemer City, N.C.) added an RBI double in the fourth frame.

Coker's Augusta Jackson (Kingsland, Ga.) fell to 5-5 after taking the loss.

Box Score

Game Two – Lenoir-Rhyne 5,
Coker 2
Lenoir-Rhyne senior third baseman Jordin Phillips (Hampstead, N.C.) finished with four hits and three runs batted in and broke a 2-2 tie with the game-winning, two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning to lead the Bears to the sweep over the Cobras.

Coker had tied the score at two thanks to back-to-back home runs from Maria Williamson (Laurens, S.C.) and Ashley Gallman (Orangeburg, S.C.) in the top of the fourth.

Lenoir-Rhyne freshman Emily Kenley (Charlotte, N.C.) (6-2) pitched four innings of scoreless relief to earn the victory while Coker's Taylor Forehand (New Bern, N.C.) (3-14) suffered the setback.

Box Score

Lenoir-Rhyne remains at home to face Lincoln Memorial on Senior Day on Saturday afternoon in a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Coker hosts Brevard in a league doubleheader Saturday at 1:00 p.m.