Feb. 27, 2011

Box Score / Coach Green Recaps Coastal Carolina Invitational

CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina University softball team concluded the Coastal Carolina Invitational on Sunday, Feb. 27 with a 6-5 extra inning win over the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Chanticleers improve to 9-5 on the season and finished runner up in the tournament with a 4-1 record.

Coastal got on the board early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman Brooke Donovan led off with a double to the right field fence and junior Sarah Maples followed, reaching base on an error by the Hokie shortstop. Sophomore Jazmin Daigle loaded the bases by drawing a walk with no outs. Junior Stacy Snellings walked in a run after picking up a walk and freshman Jessie Winans singled to centerfield and advanced to second on an error by the centerfielder, bringing home Maples and Daigle for a 3-0 Chanticleer lead.

Coastal added two more runs to its total in the bottom of the third. Snellings drew a walk with one out and junior Chelsea Pineda cleared the bases with a homerun over the centerfield fence with two outs to give the Chants a 5-0 advantage.

Virginia Tech cut the Chanticleer lead to four, scoring one run in the top of the fourth. After back-to-back walks to lead off the inning, Kristen Froehlich reached base on a fielder's choice as Coastal got the lead runner out at third. With runners at first and second, Betty Rose reached on a fielding error at second base to load the bases. Marra Hvozdovic drew a walk to bring in a run and Coastal got out of the inning without allowing the Hokies to score another run after a double play.

The Hokies added two more runs in the top of the fifth, cutting the Chanticleer lead to two at 5-3. Bkaye Smith led off the inning for Virginia Tech with a single to third base and she advanced to second on a ground out. The Hokies loaded the bases with a walk by Richelle McGarva and a single to the shortstop by Dani Anderson. Coastal senior pitcher Katelin Edwards came in to relieve freshman Ashley Bagwell in the circle and Edwards gave up a walk to her first batter, walking in a run. The second run of the inning came across on a wild pitch and Coastal got out of the inning, leaving three Hokies on base.

Virginia Tech tied the score in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs. Kat Banks got things started for the Hokies with two outs on a single to second base. McGarva reached first on a fielding error at second, giving Virginia Tech runners at first and second. Anderson brought both runners home on a double down the left field line, tying the score at 5-all.

In the eighth inning, Winans doubled down the left field line with two outs, but Pineda was unable to bring her home, forcing the game into the ninth.

The Hokies were left hitless in the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th innings as the Chanticleers found a way to get a runner across the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning. Donovan was placed on second due to the international tie breaker rule in softball and Maples advanced her to second on a sacrifice bunt. Virginia Tech intentionally walked Daigle and Cacia Pierre to load the bases and Snellings flied out to left field, sending Donovan home to end the game. It was the second win in extra innings for the Chants this season.

Bagwell started in the circle for the Chanticleers, throwing 4.1 innings and giving up three runs on three hits. Edwards came in to finish the game, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing two runs on two hits. Edwards earned her second win of the season, improving to 2-3 overall.

Kenzie Roark started for the Hokies in the circle, throwing 0.1 innings before she was relieved by Jasmin Harrell, who finished the game, allowing three runs on four hits. Harrell got the loss and falls to 3-1 on the season.

Coastal continues its 23-game homestand next weekend with the Coastal Softball Tournament. The Chanticleers will face Towson, Delaware and Western Carolina on March 4-6.