Coastal Baseball Falls 5-1 in Exhibition vs Czech Republic
10/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Coastal Carolina-Czech Republic Exhibotion Box Score and Play-By-Play 
CONWAY - The Czech Republic National Team scored five runs off five hits in the top of the eighth inning to claim a 5-1 exhibition victory over Coastal Carolina before a crowd of 1,500 Thursday night at Springs Brooks Stadium.
The Czech Republic National Team is on a U.S. tour from Oct. 2-11 to help them prepare for international competitions. The Czech squad is playing a number of collegiate teams including Duke (tied 5-5), Wake Forest (WFU won 8-7), NC State (cancelled due to rain) and UNC Wilmington (Oct. 9).
Coastal Carolina used the exhibition game versus the Czech Republic National Team as an opportunity to raise funds to help cover medical costs for former Chanticleer pitcher Ben Smith, who is battling Burkitts Leukemia Lymphoma. Coastal Carolina -- thanks to donations at the gate, donations to his GoFundMe page during the game and a portion of the proceeds from concession and merchandise sales during the game -- raised approximately $4,000. For those unable to attend, fans can still donate to Smith's fund by going to https://www.gofundme.com/bensmith.
Coastal Carolina struck first to take a1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Anthony Marks drew a leadoff walk, took second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a fly out by Michael Paez. Connor Owings followed with an RBI single to bring home Marks.
The game became a pitchers' duel until the top of the eighth inning when the Czech Republic exploded for their five runs. The visitors started the frame with singles from Petr Cech, who was 2-for-4, and pinch hitter Tomas Junec. Pinch hitter Petr Zyma followed with a walk to load the bases for Petr Sila, who delivered a two-run single. Matej Hejma, who was 2-for-4, followed with a two-run triple off the center field wall and scored one batter later on Jakub Malik's sacrifice fly.
The Chanticleers put two runners on base in the eighth inning and loaded the bases in the ninth, but could not capitalize. However, on the final play of the game, a high pop up to second base, Jakub Hajtmar bobbled the ball twice before securing the final out before it hit the ground.
G.K. Young led the CCU offense with two hits. Starting pitcher Tyler Poole was impressive in his two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts. Adam Hall followed with two scoreless innings as he struck out four while allowing one hit.
Czech Republic starter Marek Minarik, who is in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league organization, struck out five in five innings. Michal Sobotka who pitched the eighth inning, earned the win as he allowed one hit and struck out one.
Coastal Carolina will continue fall practice the rest of the month and conclude its workouts Oct. 21, 22 and 23 with the playing of the annual CCU Fall World Series.
