HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Shepherd (1-0) used a nine-hit attack en route to a 7-4 win over Coker (0-5) in baseball action at Coker on Friday afternoon. The season-opening win was the first for the Rams since Shepherd handed Concord an 11-2 setback in 2015. 

Trailing 1-0 in the second inning, Shepherd plated a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. Graduate student outfielder Daniel Keer (Lehighton, Pa./Marian Catholic) hit a solo blast to left and senior outfielder Tommy Gibson (Sicklerville, NJ/Williamstown/Penn State/Rowan) added an RBI-single. 

Keer added a two-run homer in the third to give the Rams a 4-1 advantage. 

Coker added single runs in the sixth and seventh to cut the lead to 4-3. 

Shepherd got a solo homer from graduate student infielder Joey Schwartz (Smithsburg, Md./Smithsburg/Western Kentucky) and senior outfielder Brennan Holmes (Ona, W.Va./Cabell Midland) added a two-run single in the ninth to up the lead to 7-3. 

Coker added a run in the ninth on a solo homer by Cory Listing. 

Keer went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and a pair of runs scored to pace the Rams. Senior catcher Zach Doss (Waldorf, Md./North Point/Maryland) added a 2-for-2 effort with a double and a run scored.

Phil Griffor and Jackson Williams each had a pair of hits for Coker. 

Graduate student pitcher Austin Crebs (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Central Catholic/Fairleigh Dickinson) (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 6 K, 0 BB) (1-0) gained the win. Graduate student reliever Adam Miller (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) (3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 K, 0 BB) earned the save. Cobra reliever Tanner Wofford (3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 6 K, 3 BB) (0-2) took the loss for the Cobras. 

The two teams return to action on Saturday for a noon doubleheader.