HARTSVILLE, S.C. – UNCP pounded out a season-high 15 hits and tacked up a quartet of multi-run innings behind eight shutout innings from its pitching staff en route to a 13-2 thrashing of Coker on Wednesday afternoon at Tom J. New Field.

UNCP (4-0) got base hits from 11 different players, including a 3-for-6, 3-RBI outing from senior Jason Coker, as well as two hits apiece from both Keith Whitman and newcomer Eitan Maoz. Coker (1-2) mustered just six hits, with two of them coming from the bat of Daniel Hiatt.

Brantley Hattrich (1-0) picked up the victory with three innings of relief work after yielding just two hits and striking out three in the second, third and fourth innings. Newcomer Braxton Lewis, as well as Billy Dudding and Brian Willis, were spotless in relief appearances as well, but none of the three were awarded a decision. Coker starter Tyler Witzel (0-1) allowed six hits, three walks and five earned runs in two innings from the hill to saddle the loss for the Cobras.

The Braves took a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning via a RBI single from Coker, as well as a sac fly from Joe Mangum, but Coker knotted the score back up in the bottom of the frame on a fielder's choice RBI from Nick Fuoco, as well as a RBI single from Hiatt.

That would be all the Cobras would muster on the day, however, were held to meaningless hit the rest of the way out thanks to a strong showing from the Braves' five-armed pitching staff. UNCP would take the lead for good on Coker's second RBI single of the game in the top of the second, but added two runs in the third and three more in the fifth to grab an 8-2 lead midway through the game, and then put the game away by sending its entire lineup to the plate en route to a five-run ninth inning.

UNCP will be back in action again this weekend when the Braves suit up to host Salem International (0-0) in a three-game series at Sammy Cox Field. The squads will open up the weekend with a 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon doubleheader, before closing out the set on Sunday at 1 p.m. Admission prices are $5 for adults and $2 for children 18 years of age and younger. UNCP students are admitted free with a valid Braves Card.