CONWAY, S.C. – Makiya Thomas' two-hit, three-RBI day propelled the Coastal Carolina softball team to a 6-4 victory over the Seton Hall Pirates on Friday afternoon at St. John Stadium. The Chanticleers move to 6-3 on the season with their fifth-straight win.
Thomas gave the Chanticleers an early lead in the second inning as she roped a two-out single into centerfield, scoring Peyton Rivas and Courtney Dean. Next batter, Stavi Augur capped off the inning with her team-leading 13th run batted in and her second double of the year, bringing in the speedy Thomas, extending the CCU lead to 3-0.
Sophomore Abbey Montoya ended Pirate starter Kelsey Gumm's day in the bottom of the third inning as she extended the Chants lead to 4-0 with her second double of the year, scoring Dean for the second time in the game.
After a scoreless fourth inning by Coastal starting pitcher Kaitlin Beasley-Polko, Seton Hall would chase the junior in the top of the fifth. Kiana Tate doubled to lead off the inning, but two batters later, Janae Barracato would strike with a two-run home run over the left-field wall. Beasley-Polko would allow another run batted in before being pulled for senior Ally Marcano. With two outs, the Middletown, N.Y. native would induce a ground ball to end the rally and limit the Pirates to three runs.
Seton Hall would threaten again in the top of the sixth as Marcano walked pinch hitter Emily Pena. The next batter, Kiana Tate, would lay down a bunt in front of home plate, but with some confusion, the lefty pitcher fired to second base, unable to get an out. That is as far as the threat would go for the Pirates because Marcano would go on to strike out the final two batters of the inning, keeping Coastal Carolina on top, 4-3.
With the momentum back on the CCU side in the bottom of the sixth inning, Thomas would come through with her second RBI base hit of the day, scoring Abbey Montoya. Thomas would move over to third base on consecutive wild pitches from the Seton Hall reliever, Reganne Camp. Thomas would score on the RBI ground out from Augur, giving CCU a 6-3 advantage.
Marcano allowed a top of the seventh inning run, but the sixth inning insurance runs from her team was enough for the Coastal Carolina team to hold on to win for the sixth time this season. Earlier this season Marcano picked up her first career win, but on Friday, the senior would add her first career save.
The senior reliever would pitch the final 2.1 innings, gave up one hit, and one earned run with four strikeouts.
Beasley-Polko improved to 2-3 on the year as she threw 4.2 innings, allowed six hits and three earned runs.
Thomas, Augur, and junior Courtney Dean would lead the team with two hits apiece in the 6-4 win.
Coastal will continue the Ripley's Chanticleer Showdown on Saturday afternoon with a pair of games starting at 11:30 a.m. versus Seton Hall and Iona at 1:45 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.
