CONWAY – Reigning Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week,
Kaitlin Beasley-Polko earned her 10
th win of the season as she defeated the Georgia State Panthers by the score of 1-0 on Friday afternoon in the first game of the three game set at St. John Stadium. Coastal improves to 17-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
The sophomore was efficient on the day as she threw just 84 pitches on 52 strikes. Overall, Leonardtown, Maryland native allowed just two hits with seven strikeouts, no runs, and lowering her season earned run average to 1.39.
CCU picked up the only run of the game in the fifth inning as shortstop
Alexis Alvino led off with a single to left field, but Panthers left fielder Reagan Morgan misplayed the grounder allowing Alvino to advance to second. After sophomore
Kassidy Smith advanced on a walk, sophomore
Courtney Dean hit a single up the middle but second baseman
Baylee Sexton picked it up and threw an errant ball past the shortstop, scoring Alvino on the play.
Beasley-Polko ran into trouble in the seventh inning as the second batter Caitlin Ray singled down the left field line followed up by a Jess Neadow walk. The right-hander worked her way out of trouble getting the last two outs with a fielder's choice grounder to Alvino and a strike out on Sylar Mosel.
Savannah Freeman takes the loss for Georgia State and falls to 1-4 on the season. The right-hander went the distance allowing four hits, one run, none earned on seven strikeouts in the defeat.
These two teams will back at it again on Saturday with first pitch at 2 p.m.
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.