March 17, 2012

Final Stats

CONWAY - Josh Conway only allowed two hits over six innings and Alex Buccilli accounted for three runs to lead Coastal Carolina (11-6) to a 6-2 win over Connecticut (6-10) Saturday afternoon in the first game of a mixed doubleheader at Watson Stadium/Vrooman Field. Later Saturday, Coastal will host Michigan, who defeated UAB 3-1 early Saturday.

Conway (2-1) only allowed three base runners as Billy Ferriter had a bunt single in the first and a single to center in the third, while L.J. Mazilli was hit by a pitch in the first. Ryan Connolly pitched the final three innings to get his fourth save of the season, allowing five hits and two runs with four strikeouts.

Coastal manufactured a run in the first inning, using Jacob May's speed. The sophomore had a leadoff single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and stole third. Two pitches later, May scored on a wild pitch.

The Chants added another tally in the second. Buccilli was hit by a pitch to start the home half and Sloan Gilliam singled. Luke Willis was robbed of a hit thanks to a nice play by UConn first baseman Ryan Fuller, but Buccilli and Gilliam were able to advance. Bryan Pruett followed with an RBI single, plating Buccilli on the play.

Coastal took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning. Buccilli doubled and took third on a wild pitch. After a walk to Frawley, Gilliam hit into a double play, but Buccilli was able to score.

The Huskies ended the shutout bid in the seventh as Mazzilli welcomed new CCU pitcher Ryan Connolly with a home run. Ryan Fuller followed with a triple, but was left stranded as Connolly got a fly out, strike out and, after hitting a batter, picked him off first, keeping the score 3-1.

Coastal got that run back and two additional more to take a 6-1 lead after eight complete. Jacob May had a leadoff single, but was erased on Justin Creel's sacrifice bunt attempt. Creel would take second on a wild pitch and Rich Witten was hit by a pitch Daniel Bowman plated Creel with an RBI single to left-center field. Buccilli followed with an RBI single. On the play at the plate attempt to throw out Witten, Buccilli took second. UConn tried to throw out Buccilli at second, but a collision between the Chant and Huskies' shortstop Tom Verdi allowed Buccilli to reach and Bowman to score.

UConn would go away quietly in the ninth. Mazzilli hit a one-out double and, two batters later, Verdi hit an RBI double to provide the final score of 6-2.

For the Chants offensively, May, Bowman and Buccilli each had two hits. For the Huskies, Ferriter and Mazzilli had two hits apiece. Anthony Marzi (0-3) took the loss, allowing five hits and three runs over seven innings.