Missed opportunities abound in Coppin's 1-0 loss at DSU

by Keith Henry

DOVER- Coppin State softball had no one else to blame but themselves yesterday because they couldn't capitalize on key offensive opportunities and the defense couldn't hold it together in the bottom of the seventh as a one out RBI single by Delaware State pinch hitter Rachel Carroll was enough for the Hornets to beat the Lady Eagles 1-0 at the Hornets' Nest.

It started out so promising for Coppin State in the top of the first inning. DSU starter Amber Coburn gave up a single to leadoff hitter Heather Josker. Then Amber Miller flied to left. Next, Coburn walked Stacey Burgos and Paige Arnold which loaded the bases with one out. DSU head coach Jeff Savage didn't waste time and decided to take out Coburn and put in Stephanie Sarris.

Sarris then got Jade Dudley to pop up to first and Charma Robinson flied to left field to end the inning. Coppin State (9-13, 2-5 MEAC) left nine runners on base, especially five of those runners in scoring position. Those kinds of opportunities proved costly according to Coppin head coach Larry Hineline. "That's where we lost the game right there. If we get a run ahead of them, then it's all different."

Coppin State loaded the bases again in the top of the fifth inning. But Dudley hit a first pitch fly out to left field to end the threat. Sarris pitched the rest of the game by striking out three, walking one while scattering five hits and giving up no runs to pick up the win for first place Delaware State (24-11, 6-1 MEAC).

Arnold pitched well for Coppin State by striking out nine Hornets and walking none while giving up only five hits and that one unearned run.

However, the bottom of the seventh was a different issue. Arnold struck out Casey Beighley to start the innng. Then Leslie Pleasanton singled to short stop. Kelsey Lewis pinch ran for Pleasanton at first. Tawny Reeger grounded into what could've been a inning-ending double play. But shortstop Amber Miller had trouble picking up the ball inches away from second base. So Miller couldn't at least get the force out and it placed runners on first and second with one out.

Carroll came in as a pinch hitter for Chelsea Stern. Carroll lined a single to center, driving in Lewis to win the game and put the Eagles in a tough position at the moment. Hineline said, "We just got locked in a 0-0 game and we made an error in the seventh inning and it costs us. (The bottom line is) in order to win, you got to hit. You can't get zero runs and win the game."

Coppin State needs to win both games of their doubleheader on Wednesday (or Thursday if there is a rain out) in order to not put themselves in a spot where they'll have to depend on others to qualify for the MEAC Tournament.