Feb. 20, 2010

South Dakota State Game One / South Dakota State Game Two

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Coastal Carolina University softball team (3-4) had a tough outing in day two of the Seminole Classic, falling to South Dakota State twice. In the first game, the Chanticleers lost 5-2 before dropping the bracket play contest 2-1, sending Coastal to the consolation game on Sunday to face Gardner-Webb.

In the opener, Michelle Evans got things started for the Chanticleers with a double to center field with two outs. Freshman Jazmin Daigle then drove in Evans off a single to right center, giving Coastal the early 1-0 lead. South Dakota State answered back in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs of its own to go ahead 3-1.

Coastal struggled offensively and did not get on the board again until the fifth. Olivia Piccirillo led off the inning with a solo home run over the left-center field fence to bring the Chants to within one run. Mecaela Ballard gave Coastal an opportunity to tie the game after singling over the shortstop's head and stealing second, but Coastal could not come up with the timely hit.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Chanticleers gave up two more runs, giving the Jackrabbits a 5-2 lead. Coastal Carolina tried to build a comeback in the final two innings, but a double play squashed the threat in the sixth and Coastal stranded a runner on first in the seventh.

Katelin Edwards took the loss for the Chanticleers, allowing five runs on six hits and falling to 2-1 on the season. Freshman Megan Johnson came in to relieve Edwards in the fifth inning with one out, and allowed just one hit in her stint.

In game two against the Jackrabbits, senior pitcher Ashley Frederick started for the Chanticleers, allowing two runs on eight hits and striking out seven. Evans led the team with two hits in two at-bats.

After the first three innings, Coastal Carolina had recorded two hits, but was unable to take advantage. However, South Dakota State took advantage of its three hits to bring in the first run and give the Jackrabbits the 1-0 lead after three. SDSU added a run in the fourth and a 2-0 margin.

Coastal started to mount a comeback in the bottom of the sixth after Sarah Maples led off the inning with a single up the middle. Evans followed with an infield single to second base to give the Chants a pair of base runners with no outs. Daigle hit into a double play, leaving Evans on second with two outs. Stacy Snellings advanced Evans to third after a hit up the middle, but both runners were left stranded after a Coastal strikeout.

In the bottom of the seventh, Coastal Carolina tried to start a comeback, as Alyssa Tornatore led off with a walk and Johnson got her first hit in a Chanticleer uniform with a single through the left side, advancing Tornatore to second. Ashley Pisone advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt, and Ballard brought Tornatore home on a groundout to the shortstop. Down just one run with the tying run on third base and two outs, Coastal's luck ran out, forcing the Chanticleers to the consolation game of the Seminole Classic.

Coastal Carolina is back on the field at 9 a.m. tomorrow for the third place game against Big South Conference-foe Gardner-Webb.