CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina University baseball team (12-3) received a quality start from sophomore Mike Costanzo (Springfield, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) and had 15 hits in defeating The Citadel (5-7) 12-3 March 10 in Charleston, S.C.

Coastal put two on the board in the first inning. Junior Brett Grandstrand (Newcastle, Wash./Liberty) hit a one-out double and advanced to third when sophomore Michael DeJesus (Manalapan, N.J./East Carolina) singled. Grandstrand scored on a groundout from sophomore Mike Costanzo (Springfield, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) and DeJesus came home when The Citadel pitcher Chip Cannon tried to pick off freshman Chris Raber (Coplay, Pa./Whitehall) and threw it to right field fence. The Citadel got one back in the second on a solo home run from Cannon.

Coastal scored on in the fourth when freshman Derek Martin (Barnwell, S.C./Barnwell) singled up the middle to score senior Greg Orsimarsi (Myrtle Beach, S.C./Socastee). It was Martin’s first collegiate hit. The Citadel cut the lead to one run in the fifth. Josh Stackley drove in Matt Covington on a fielder’s choice and Stackley scored on a throwing error from the catcher. Costanzo, who started the game on the hill for the Chants, got out of a one-out jam by striking out Chris Altman and Chris Ard.

Coastal scored three runs in the sixth. Three straight singles from senior Jeremiah Grove (Los Banos, Calif./Merced J.C.), Orsimarsi and junior Brett Gordon (Sonora, Calif./Merced J.C.) loaded the bases. Martin scored Grove on a sacrifice fly and senior Chad Oxendine (Rowland, N.C./Avalon Academy) scored Orsimarsi on a groundout. McGraw brought in the last runner on a single up the middle.

The Chants sent 10 men to the plate in the seventh, taking a 12-2 lead. DeJesus reached on an error, Costanzo walked, Grove reached on an error and Orsimarsi walked with the bases loaded. Gordon singled in Costanzo and Martin singled in Grove. Oxendine walked in a run with the bases loaded and with two outs, Grandstrand singled in Martin.

Costanzo struck out seven batters in 6 2/3 innings. He gave up only five hits and two runs to improve his record to 2-0 on the season. Sophomore Zach Baldwin (Barboursville, W.Va./Cabell Midland) and freshman Dorsey Strickland (Loris, S.C./Green Sea Floyds) gave up only one hit in relief.

Grandstrand had three hits for the Chants, while DeJesus, Raber, Martin, Orsimarsi and Gordon had two hits apiece.

Coastal hosts Seton Hall University Friday, March 12, at 4 p.m. This game was not on the original schedule, added due to one of the rainouts against the University of Delaware.