Feb. 18, 2011
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina University softball team opened its home season by defeating Saint Joseph's 5-1 in game one and Bucknell 4-1 in the night cap on the first day of the Kickin' Chicken Classic Feb. 18. The Chanticleers improve to 3-3 on the season.
In the first inning, Saint Joseph's led off with a hit by Dana Parks and recorded a second hit in the inning from Bernadette Moran. Both runners were left stranded as freshman pitcher Ashley Bagwell ended the inning with a strikeout.
The Chanticleers tallied their first hit of the game in the bottom of the second from senior Michelle Evans, who doubled to left centerfield. Freshman Raquel Cooke came in to pinch run for Evans and freshman Tamara Hawkins singled to shortstop, putting runners at first and third with no outs. Freshman Desiree Zaragoza loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch and freshman Jessie Winans cleared the bases, hitting her first career grand slam to right field and giving Coastal a 4-1 lead.
In the top of the fifth, the Hawks cut the Chanticleer lead to three. Maria Ficca got things started with a double down the left field line. She advanced to third on a single by Parks and Laura Cardone drove Ficca home with a single to the shortstop.
In the bottom of the fifth, Saint Joseph's loaded the bases with Chanticleers following two walks and a Hawk error. Hawkins drew a fourth walk to bring in Stacy Snellings and gave Coastal a 5-1 lead.
Bagwell got the start in the circle for Coastal against the Hawks and threw her first complete game as a Chanticleer. She allowed one run on seven hits and struck out six to improve her record to 2-1. Taryn Ashway started in the circle for the Hawks, but was relieved by Erin Gallagher and Lauren Pembleton. Ashway picked up the loss after allowing four runs on four hits.
In the second game of the day for the Chanticleers against Bucknell, Maples started things off with for the Chants with a single to second base with one out in the fourth inning. Daigle reached on a fielder's choice to give Coastal two outs. Snellings followed with a single to the pitcher as Daigle advanced to second. Cooke came in to pinch run for Daigle and junior Chelsea Pineda singled down the left line, earning her first RBI of the season. Cooke scored on Pineda's hit and Snellings moved to third. Freshman Courtney Howell came in to pinch run for Pineda. Evans drove home Howell and Snellings on a single to right field and advanced to second on the throw. Coastal finished the inning with a 3-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Snellings doubled to left center with one out and freshman Beth Kassuhn came in to pinch run. Pineda tallied her second RBI of the game as she singled through the left side bringing home Kassuhn to give Coastal a 4-0 lead.
The Bison got on the board in the bottom of the sixth as Elyse Colmenero doubled down the left field line bringing home Sam Rollandi.
Senior pitcher Katelin Edwards started in the circle for Coastal and did not give up hit until the bottom of the sixth. She finished the game, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing one run on two hits while striking out two. She improves to 1-2 on the season. Evans came in to relieve Edwards in the seventh inning, giving up one hit and striking out one to end the game.
The Chanticleers finished the day with nine runs on 14 hits.
Coastal returns to the field tomorrow for day two of the Kickin' Chicken Classic as it takes on Bucknell at 3:30 p.m. and James Madison at 5:30 p.m.
