May 8, 2010

Box Score

CONWAY, S.C. - The fourth-ranked Coastal Carolina University baseball team (40-6, 18-0 Big South) won its 40th game for the ninth time in 10 years as the Chanticleers defeated Winthrop (21-23, 9-10 Big South) 20-3 May 8 in Conway, S.C. Coastal Carolina scored 20 or more runs in a game for the fifth time this season.

Coastal scored three runs apiece in the first two frames. In the first, junior Scott Woodward was hit by a pitch. He moved to third on a single from senior Jose Iglesias and scored on a wild pitch. Senior Adam Rice, who proposed to his girlfriend before the game, then hit a double and scored as sophomore Daniel Bowman's fly ball to right was dropped by Sean Sullivan. Winthrop answered with a run in the second as Chas Crane connected on his 10th home run of the season, but the Chants quickly rebounded in the second. Redshirt-senior Chance Gilmore opened the inning with a Texas League double to left. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a double from sophomore Steve Davis. Junior Rico Noel moved Davis to third with a sacrifice bunt and Woodward's single brought in the run to make it 5-1. Redshirt-sophomore Tommy La Stella then brought in Woodward with a sacrifice fly to right.

La Stella led off the fifth with a home run off the scoreboard in right field. Coastal then scored three runs in the sixth. Davis tripled and scored on a Noel single. Woodward was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game. Winthrop then removed Robert Lake and brought in Austin Stuart. On his first pitch, Noel and Woodward executed a double steal. Noel would score on an Iglesias single. Woodward would score on a ground ball double play from La Stella.

Coastal blew the game open in the seventh. Sophomore Taylor Motter doubled and scored on a Gilmore double. The bases were then loaded for freshman Josh Conway, who belted a grand slam to center. It was his second home run of the season. Motter scored a pair on a double to left and redshirt-sophomore Rich Witten scored on a wild pitch to make it 18-1. Redshirt-sophomore Josh Keener drove in a pair of runs in the eighth with a single to left. Winthrop scored a pair of runs in the ninth on a wild pitch and a bases-loaded walk, but redshirt-freshman Jackson Geary came in and struck out Austen Barber and Sean Sullivan to end the game.

Sophomore Anthony Meo threw another gem, moving to 10-1 on the season. He struck out eight and allowed just four hits and a run in seven innings of work. Lake took the loss, allowing eight runs and 10 hits in five-plus innings. He struck out five.

Coastal Carolina had 19 hits and seven doubles on the night. Rice and Gilmroe had three hits apiece with all three of Gilmore's hit being two-baggers. Conway drove in four runs, while Woodward and Davis scored three runs apiece. Crane scored a pair of runs for the Eagles.

Coastal's 40 victories ties the Chants with Virginia for the most wins in the country.

Coastal Carolina and Winthrop continue the three-game set Sunday, May 9 at 2 p.m. It is Senior Day at Watson Stadium/Vrooman Field.

NOTE: Video highlights of the game will be up Sunday morning.