Box Score

Hartsville, S.C. - Millersville trailed homestanding Coker by three runs heading into the top of the ninth Thursday afternoon. The Marauders rallied to score two in the ninth but could not get the tying run across as Coker held on by a 6-5 final.

Millersville (5-6) was out-hit 14-7 but stayed close thanks to solid relief pitching and timely hitting. The Marauders scored one run in each of the first three innings, but still trailed as Coker (10-9) tagged starter Kyle Belanchik (1-2) for five runs on eight hits before his exit in the top of the fourth.

Coker used five pitchers in the game and each of the first four pitchers worked only two innings. The rotation kept Millersville off balance. Prior to the ninth, Coker's relievers allowed just four hits and one unearned run.

While Millersville failed to generate offense, its bullpen kept the game close. Keith Bires surrendered a run in the fourth but settled in and blanked Coker of the next two innings. Adam Koppenhaver pitched two-thirds of an inning and Andrew Hunt worked one scoreless inning.

Coker's fourth error of the game gave Millersville a spark to start the ninth-inning rally. Andrew Dochterman reached on a throwing error, and Cody Wile, who finished the day 2-of-3, recorded his second RBI with a double to left. Keith Spencer cut Coker's lead to one with an RBI double of his own.

But with the tying run on second, Coker's B.K. Harfst struck out the side to end the Millersville threat.

Wile's 2-for-3 performance included a double and two runs scored and extended his hitting streak to six games. He has had at least two hits in each of the last four games. He has also scored at least one run in seven straight.

The Marauders return to action Friday afternoon with a nine inning contest at Chowan.