March 31, 2010

Game One Box Score / Game Two Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina University softball team concluded its first day of Big South Conference play against Charleston Southern by falling in the first game 9-6, but shutting out the Buccaneers 3-0 in the nightcap. The Chanticleers move to 17-18 and 1-1 in the Big South while Charleston Southern goes to 17-19 overall and 1-3 in the Big South.

In game one, both teams came out hitting, with the Bucs recording 12 hits and the Chants posting 11, including five home runs between the two teams. Erin Kegley and Jana Matthews each tallied a dinger to tie the Charleston Southern single-season home run record.

The Bucs took an early 3-0 lead with Shayla Cullum doubling up the middle, scoring Megan Hall, who doubled down the left field line. Kegley cleared the bases with a two-run blast over the center field fence for a 3-0 CSU advantage.

Coastal answered back in the bottom of the second with two outs as Cass Stuart hit her second home run of her career, also scoring Sarah Maples who had earlier doubled, to make it a 3-2 game.

In the bottom of the third, the Chanticleers got the inning going Stacy Snellings leading off with a single. Ashley Pisone laid down a bunt to reach base, though Snellings was thrown out on the fielder's choice. After Pisone stole second, Jazmin Daigle recorded her second double of the game to send Pisone home, tying the game at 3-3.

The tie was finally broken by Charleston Southern who sent three runs across the plate in both the sixth and seventh innings, giving the Buccaneers a 9-3 advantage.

Coastal fought back with three runs of its own in the bottom of the seventh, but it would not be enough and CSU took game one. Cacia Pierre recorded her third home run of the season in the inning, scoring Daigle and Mecaela Ballard.

Seven Chants recorded hits with three players tallying multiple hits, including a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate by Daigle.

Ashley Frederick took the loss, falling to 9-11 after allowing nine runs on 12 hits while Kimberly Hobbs improved to 7-5 on the season, allowing six runs on 11 hits.

In game two, Charleston Southern could not find their stroke against junior Katelin Edwards, who threw her second no-hitter of the season. Edwards pitched her sixth complete game, striking out five and was nearly perfect, allowing just one walk in the first and putting a runner on base after an infield error in the fifth.

Coastal Carolina got on the board early, scoring its first run in the opening inning on a Pisone home run to left center, her seventh of the season.

In the second inning, Maples led off the bottom of the inning with a double to left field and Olivia Piccirillo advanced her to third on a sacrifice bunt. Ballard brought her home on a single to the shortstop, giving Coastal an 2-0 lead.

The final Chant run came in the fourth with two outs as Stuart was hit by a pitch and Ballard reached base on an error. Looking for an insurance run, Snellings singled to center field, scoring Stuart for a 3-0 lead.

The 3-0 lead proved to be enough as Edwards went three up and three down for the sixth and seventh innings.

Sondra Vetter took the loss for the Bucs after allowing three runs on six hits and striking out five.

The Chanticleers close out its 15-game homestand with UNC Wilmington in a double header April 7. The first game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.