Feb. 19, 2011
Bucknell Box Score / James Madison Box Score
CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina University softball team split on the second day of the Kickin' Chicken Classic, defeating Bucknell 2-0 in game one before falling to James Madison 6-2 in the night cap. The Chanticleers move to 4-4 on the season and 3-1 in the tournament.
Coastal picked up its first home loss of the season against James Madison, but the Chants combined for 13 hits on the day.
Freshman Ashley Bagwell started in the circle for the Chanticleers in game one, pitching her first complete shut out of her career. She finished the game allowing no runs on five hits and striking out four to improve to 3-1 on the season.
The Chants offense came out strong in the first inning as freshman Brooke Donovan drew a lead off walk. Junior Sarah Maples followed with a single to the shortstop and sophomore Jazmin Daigle singled to left field, loading the bases with no outs. Senior Michelle Evans reached first on a fielder's choice as Donovan was called out at home. Coastal concluded the inning leaving three runners stranded after back-to-back fly outs.
The fourth inning was the only scoring inning of the game and it went in Coastal's favor as the Chants scored two runs. Junior Chelsea Pineda started things off with a single to centerfield and freshman Courtney Howell came in to pinch run. Howell advanced to second on a stolen base and freshman Jessie Winans singled through the left side with one out to bring in Howell, giving Coastal a 1-0 lead. Senior Ashley Pisone followed with a double down the left field line, sending Jessie Winans across the plate for a 2-0 Chant lead.
Bucknell's only potential scoring opportunity was in the top of the sixth as the Bison got three hits to load the bases. Bucknell was unable to capitalize, stranding all three runners.
In the second game of the day, Coastal could not find a way to get runners across the plate until the top of the sixth inning despite tallying eight hits.
James Madison came out strong in the first inning against the Chants after losing its first game of the day to Saint Joseph's. The Dukes brought four runs across the plate with the help of four hits and one Coastal error.
Both teams remained scoreless until JMU added one run in both the fourth and fifth innings, giving the Dukes and 6-0 advantage.
Coastal battled back and cut the deficit to four in the sixth, scoring two runs. Junior Stacy Snellings started the inning with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a Pineda groundout. Evans followed with a single to right field, putting runners at first and third as Howell came in to pinch run for Evans. Cacia Pierre loaded the bases after drawing a walk and Winans double to right center sent Snellings and Howell home.
Senior Katelin Edwards got the start in the circle for the second game and was relieved by Evans after allowing four runs on four hits early in the first inning. Evans pitched 4.2 innings, giving up two runs on four hits and striking out four. Sophomore Megan Johnson came in to relieve Evans in the seventh and finished the game with no hits against her.
The Chanticleers return to the field tomorrow for their final game of the Kickin' Chicken Classic at 10 a.m. against Saint Joseph's.
