STATESBORO, GA. – The Coastal softball team fell to 21-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play on Friday afternoon by the score 3-1 at Eagle Field on the campus of Georgia Southern. The Chants held the advantage in the game with eight hits to seven but left nine runners on base throughout.
In the third, junior
Kassidy Smith led off the inning with a single as it extended her games on base streak to 23 games. The Chanticleers would get two other runners on, but failed to bring home a run, as Eagle reliever Jenna Barfield was able to finish her only inning of work.
The Eagles took the lead in the bottom of the third off Chant starter
Kaitlin Beasley-Polko. Leadoff hitter Faith Shirley singled to left center and then moved over on a bunt single by Mekia Freeman. The next batter Logan Harrell gave the Eagles the lead with an RBI single to right center, scoring Shirley from third. Georgia Southern put up two more runs in the inning after an RBI groundout by Shelby Wilson and then Hannah Farrell singled in Harrell.
In the top of the fifth, Coastal picked up their only run after hits from sophomore
Courtney Dean and freshman
Sydney Guess. Dean then came into score off
Stavi Augur's single to left.
Still in the top of the fifth the bases loaded and two outs, GSU reliever Jodi Handler got freshman
Mackenzie Beyer to strike out on 2-2 pitch, leaving the bases loaded for the second time.
Handler pitched the final four innings allowing just the one run with four strikeouts and picked up the win in her first action of the season.
Beasley-Polko's fell to 12-3 on the season meanwhile her scoreless innings streak was snapped at 23. The right-hander went the distance, allowing three runs on seven strikeouts.
Guess led the Chants at the plate by going 2-for-3 and a walk.
With the single in the fifth, Dean extended her hitting streak to nine games.
CCU looks to up tie the series up as the two teams will play game two of the series on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
To follow along in the series for live stats and live video, click on the links below or For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSB (twitter), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) and facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com
