CONWAY , SC — The Coastal Carolina University baseball team (16-4) manufactured two runs in the first and were on its way to a 7-1 victory over Kent State University (6-12) March 23 at Charles Watson Stadium at Vrooman Field in Conway, S.C. Coastal has now won nine of its last 10 games.

Coastal scored two in the first frame without a hit. With two outs, Kent State pitcher Marco DiMichele walked four straight Chanticleers, forcing in junior Brett Grandstrand (Newcastle, Wash./Liberty). Sophomore Adam Pernasilici (Tecumseh, Ontario/St. Anne’s) then was hit by a DiMichele pitch to bring in sophomore Mike Costanzo (Springfield, Pa./Archbishop Carroll). DiMichele then settled down until Coastal scored in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Grandstrand that scored senior Ryan McGraw (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel Catholic Central).

Coastal scored three in the seventh, executing bunts and scoring on Kent State mistakes. Senior Chad Oxendine (Rowland, N.C./Avalon Academy) started the frame with a single to center. McGraw and sophomore Michael DeJesus (Manapalan, N.J./East Carolina) hit back-to-back bunt singles to load the bases. Oxendine scored on a wild pitch and McGraw scored on a passed ball. DeJesus then jaunted home on another KSU wild pitch. Kent State got one back in the eighth on an RBI single from Joe Tucker, but Coastal struck quickly in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single from Oxendine.

Freshman Kevin Marrie (Clarksville, Md./River Hill) earned his second career win on the mound, going six innings, striking out four Golden Flashes and not allowing a run. Senior Steven Carter (Windsor, Ontario/St. Anne’s) and junior Byron Binda (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) did not allow an earned run in relief.

DiMichele earned the loss for Kent State, giving up only two hits and striking out seven, but walking four and allowing three earned runs.

Oxendine and McGraw had two hits apiece for Coastal, while McGraw scored two runs.

Kent State spread out its five hits, with Eric Holick having a hit and a run scored.

Coastal and Kent State wrap up the two-game set Wednesday, March 24, against the Golden Flashes at 4 p.m.