MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina University baseball team (18-10) scored six runs in the top of the fourth inning, but a three-run sixth by 20th-ranked College of Charleston (24-5) gave the Cougars a 9-8 win over the Chants April 6, in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Coastal scored a run in the first without getting a hit. Senior Ryan McGraw (Saginaw, Mich./Nouvel Catholic Central) started it off with a walk and went to third when sophomore Michael DeJesus’ (Manapalan, N.J./East Carolina) grounder went off the glove of shortstop Steve Friend. McGraw scored on a sacrifice fly from junior Brett Grandstrand (Newcastle, Wash./Liberty). The College of Charleston scored four in the bottom of the frame, highlighted by four walks and a two-run home run from Jess Easterling.

Coastal put up a six spot in the fourth, sending 10 men to the plate to grab a 7-4 lead. Sophomore Mike Costanzo (Springfield, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) walked to open the inning and moved to second on an infield single from sophomore Adam Pernasilici (Tecumseh, Ontario/St. Anne’s). Freshman Chris Raber (Coplay, Pa./Whitehall) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Junior Jon Foisy (Ridgecrest, Calif./Cerro Coso) hit a sinlge off the end of the bat to score Costanzo and freshman Derek Martin (Barnwell, S.C./Barnwell) drove in two with a double to left center. After an RBI groundout from senior Chad Oxendine (Rowland, N.C./Avalon Academy), Grandstrand drove in two on a double in the right field gap.

Coastal got out of a jam in the fourth when Byron Barber looked to load the bases with a gapper to center, but the McGraw-to-Grandstrand-to-Oxendine connection got two Cougar runners on third base. Junior Byron Binda (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) then got pinch hitter Matt Hallett to fly out to right to end the threat.

Grandstrand went deep in the sixth to give Coastal a two-run lead, but the Cougars scored three in the bottom of the frame on doubles from Byron Barber and Brett Anderson and a sacrifice fly from Steve Friend.

Binda took the loss for the Chants, falling to 2-3. He went 2.2 innings, striking out two and giving up four runs. Nick Chiggens earned the win in relief for CofC. Brett Harker earned his sixth save.

Coastal hosts UNC Wilmington Wednesday, April 7, at 6 p.m.