April 11, 2014

Final Stats

RADFORD, Va. - Michael Paez went 3-for-4 with two RBI while Tyler Herb won his sixth straight to lead Coastal Carolina to an 8-3 victory at Radford Friday night. The win was additionally CCU head coach Gary Gilmore's 998th for his 25-year career, moving him into a tie for 50th in the NCAA all-time wins list for Division I coaches.

With the win, Coastal Carolina improves to 16-19, 7-6 Big South, while Radford falls to 17-15, 7-6 Big South. Also, Gilmore improves to 998-487-2 all-time and 745-385 in his 19th year at Coastal Carolina. Gilmore was 253-102-2 in six years (1990-95) as head coach at USC Aiken prior to returning to his alma mater in 1996. Longtime Seton Hall coach Mike Shepard (1972-2003) also compiled 998 win for his career, posting an all-time record of 998-540-11 in 31 years with the Pirates.

Herb (6-3) pitched eight innings and allowed six hits, three runs and four walks with three strikeouts in the win.

The Chanticleers loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning and came away with three runs. Richard Carter nearly ended the top of the second by hitting into an apparent double play. However, the shortstop could only get the lead runner at second to extend the inning. Colin Hering, who had two hits, followed with a single and Steven Whitaker walked. Connor Owings hit another apparent inning-ending ground out, but the Whitaker beat the play at second to keep the bases loaded and drive in Carter. Paez, who had a double in the first inning, followed with a two-run single to give the Chants a 3-0 lead.

Radford answered with two runs in the bottom of the second. Leadoff batter Alexander Lee was hit by a pitch and, two batters later, Zach Woolcock hit a two-run home run over the right field fence.

The Highlanders tied the game at 3-3 in the third. Aaron Scoville was hit by a pitch before Lee, Hunter Higgerson and Woolcock drew consecutive walks to force in the tying run.

Coastal regained the lead in the fifth. Tyler Chadwick walked and Zach Remillard reached on a fielder's choice. G.K. Young lined a two-run double to left center field to put CCU up 5-3.

In the eighth, Whitaker walked, stole second and took third on an Owings ground out. With two outs, Whitaker scored on a passed ball to put the Chants up 6-3.

Coastal padded its lead with two runs in the ninth. Remillard hit a bloop double to right field. Two batters later, Anthony Marks, who entered earlier as a defensive replacement, crushed a 2-2 pitch to deep center field for his first career triple to drive in Remillard. Marks later scored on a wild pitch for an 8-3 cushion.

Dylan Nelson (4-3) suffered the loss for Radford, allowing six hits, five runs and four walks in 5.1 innings.

The teams will play game two of the series Saturday at 4 pm.