April 17, 2006

By David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

SALINA, Kan. - Throwing 196 pitches in a single day is a feat for any player at any level. Ashley Coker did just that, throwing 63 pitches in game one and 133 in game two as the Coyotes salvaged a split with Ottawa University (Kan.), losing 10-2, and winning the nightcap 3-2 on April 13 at Bill Burke Park.

The Coyotes took the early lead in game one 2-0, as Diana Pereira scored after being hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. After a Gabby White single, Pereira came home on the throw as White advanced to second. Torrie Stone then reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a single by Coker.

The top of the second was not friendly to Wesleyan pitcher White. Kelly Higbie singled, Jessica Nagy walked, Kerry Higbie reached on an throwing error by Tara Dintaman allowing the other Higbie to score. Coker then made a wild throw from third allowing Holly Dolphin to reach and Higbie to score. Pereira then errored allowing Higbie to score. Ottawa then used a double steal to score Dolphin. An Angie Thetford single drove home Corrin Ball, who had reached on Pereira's error. Kelly Higbie then walked with the bases loaded to drive home Sharee Joyner.

Enter Coker to pitch.

Nagy hit a sac fly to center scoring Thetford before Higbie grounded out to third to end the inning.

The Coyote bats remained quiet for the remainder of game one as Wesleyan was held to only seven hits in the first game.

Ottawa added one in the top half of the fourth as Ottawa again used the double steal to get Joyner home. Two more runs in the top of the fifth by the Braves gave them a 10-2 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, White got on after being hit by the pitch from Ball. Torrie Stone then popped out to second, and Ashley Coker lined out to center and White was tagged up at first for a game ending double play.

White took the loss for the Coyotes giving up seven runs, only one earned, on four hits in 1.1 innings of work. Coker pitched 3.2 innings and gave up three runs on just one hit while striking out four and walking two.

Game two saw the Coyotes again jump out to the early lead, but Coker was able to shut down the Brave offense holding them to only one hit through the first 6.1 innings.

White reached on a bunt single in the first and scored on an error by Ottawa short stop Iris Elfrink. Elfrink committed two errors on the play as her wild throw allowed Marsicek to move to third and Coker to move to second. Christine Thompson and Dintaman struck out to end the Coyote threat.

In the bottom of the second, Amanda Mueller walked to lead off and scored on an error by Ottawa's catcher Joyner. Amiee Dobbins then scored on a Pereira ground out.

Coker shone through out the game on the mound for the Coyotes. She fanned ten Braves on the night, including retiring the side in the top of the fourth.

Wesleyan's bats went quiet for the remainder of the game, but the three runs were enough.

Ottawa (11-12, 5-3) provided some excitement in the top of the seventh. Thetford reached on a walk to start the inning. Elfrink then reached on a fielder's choice and Kelly Higbie singled. Nagy walked to load the bases, before Kerry Higbie struck out looking. Amber Koons then hit a ball to third base, but Gabby White made an errant throw to first allowing Elfrink and Kerry Higbie to score. Koons moved to second on a no-throw. Coker then got Dolphin to pop out to second base to secure the win for the Coyotes.

Coker pitched the complete game for the win, thowing 133 pitches. She walked four, struck out ten, and only allowed the two runs on two hits. She faced 24 batters.

Pam Johnston went the distance for the Braves taking the loss. She game up three runs on four hits while walking one and striking out three in six innings of work.

The Coyotes (4-16-1, 4-4) hit the road on Monday at Friends University (Kan.), and at McPherson College (Kan.) on Wednesday before playing in a tournament in Oklahoma City next weekend. The Coyotes then return home for their final home game of the season against Bethany College (Kan.) on April 25.