by Benny Benton
WILSON, N.C. – The Barton College fastpitch softball team continues its 14-game road schedule on Saturday when it visits former league member Coker College for a 1 p.m. non-conference doubleheader.
Coker sports information will provide live stats and video for both games. Links: game 1 stats | game 2 stats | video
Barton softball fans can follow the Bulldogs throughout the season on www.BartonBulldogs.com and via social media including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Barton College Softball
The Bulldogs began their season with a tough slate of games in Florida at the Flagler Tournament. Barton lost five games by a combined score of 44-5 against host Flagler College, Lee University and defending national runner-up Valdosta State University. Lee is currently 8-2 and Valdosta State is off to a 9-1 start.
Megan Kelly got her sophomore season off to a good start with a single on the first pitch of the year. She homered later in the tournament, and finished the event with a .286 average, two runs scored and two stolen bases.
Sophomore Taylor Bowden collected her first career homer with a two-run blast in the opening game, and junior Crystal Britton batted a team-high .308 in the tournament. As a team, Barton hit .150.
Ashlyn Reagan (0-3) got the pitching start in three of the five games, with Liz White (0-2) getting the starting nod in the other two contests. The staff ERA for the tournament was 8.97.
Coker College Softball
The Cobras (3-2) opened the season with five games in the UNCP Invitational, winning the first three contests against Kutztown University, Pfeiffer University and Concord University before losing a rematch with Pfeiffer and dropping a game against host UNC Pembroke.
Coker hit .345 as a team in the tournament, ripped five home runs and scored 29 runs (5.8 per game) while giving up 19 (3.8 per game).
Sophomore outfielder Riley Morris paced the Cobras, hitting .538 (7 for 13) with two home runs and three RBI. Junior Ashley Gallman batted .400 with three RBI, and senior Ashlee Ellen and Tayler Barcomb both drove in five runs while batting over .300.
Coker relied on a young pitching staff, with sophomore Tabitha Allen (2-2) getting three starts and freshman Brittany Long getting the other two. Allen (2-2) gave up 23 hits in 21 innings, striking out seven and posting a 2.33 ERA. Long (1-0) worked 12.1 innings, surrendering 14 hits and striking out three while recording a 3.41 ERA.
Barton and Coker split two games last season in Wilson. The Lady Bulldogs won the opener 6-1 behind a complete-game five-hitter from Reagan and three hits from Kelly, including her first career home run. The Cobras took the nightcap, 2-0.
Shaw game postponed; rescheduled for March 1
Due to the frigid temperatures expected on Sunday, Barton's doubleheader at Shaw University has been postponed and rescheduled for Sunday, March 1.
