Feb. 19, 2010

Florida State Box Score / Gardner-Webb Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Coastal Carolina University softball team (3-2) finished day one of the Seminole Classic 1-1 after falling to tournament host No. 20 Florida State 4-0 in the opener and defeating Gardner-Webb 1-0 in extra innings in the nightcap.

The Chanticleers got their first hit in the first inning from freshman Jazmin Daigle to left field, which advanced Michelle Evans to third base after being hit by a pitch in her at-bat. With runners in scoring position, Coastal could not capitalize, stranding both Evans and Daigle.

In the third inning, Mecaela Ballard got her first hit of the weekend on a bunt down the left field line with one out. Both Sarah Maples and Evans tried to bring Ballard home, but only got her as far as second before the end of the inning.

The Seminoles took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first and were held to a 1-0 lead until the fourth inning when Florida State scored one run each in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to build a 4-0 lead.

Coastal Carolina remained hitless for the remaining four innings to drop their first game of the tournament to the Seminoles. Senior pitcher Ashley Frederick got the start in the circle for the Chanticleers, allowing four runs on nine hits in her first complete seven-inning game. Frederick recorded one strikeout and fell to 1-1 on the season.

Against conference foe Gardner-Webb, both teams went scoreless through eight-and-a-half innings.The Chants' defense was strong behind Edwards, leaving 14 Bulldogs on base. Coastal held Gardner-Webb with the bases loaded three times during the game, but rallied back to get the outs, keeping the game scoreless.

In the bottom of the ninth, Jazmin Daigle got the inning started with a hit up the middle and senior Alyssa Tornatore came in to pinch run for her. Tornatore then stole second to put a Chant in scoring position, setting up the dramatics. Stacy Snellings singled down the right field line to bring in Tornatore with the only run of the game and give the Chants the 1-0 victory.

Katelin Edwards started in the circle for the Chants and threw her second complete game of the season. Edwards improved to 2-0 on the season, allowing nine hits and striking out five batters.

The Chants return to the field tomorrow to face South Dakota State at 10 a.m. before entering into bracket play to determine a Seminole Classic champion. Depending on where Coastal is seeded, the Chanticleers will either play at 2:30 p.m. or 4:30 p.m.