GAINESVILLE, FLA. – On day two of the Bubly Invitational, the Coastal Carolina softball team (9-8) split a pair of games against Tennessee State and Georgia State. The Chanticleers defeated the Tigers 3-1 before falling to the Panthers in a non-conference matchup, 3-2.
Game 1 – Tennessee State
Freshman pitcher Nicolette Picone allowed just one hit in 6.0 innings of work as the Chanticleers used a three-run third inning to down the Tigers.
Neither team scored in the first two innings, but Keirstin Roose tried to spark the Coastal offense as the freshman singled and was stranded on after stealing second base and unable to advance further.
In the bottom of the third, Jay Wrightsman started the push for the Chants as the freshman laid down a bunt followed by Payton Ebersole reaching base on a fielder's choice. Ebersole stole second and put herself in scoring position on a throwing error by the Tigers' catcher. Abbey Montoya singled up the middle to drive home Ebersole and put CCU up 1-0. The momentum continued as Montoya stole second base on another throwing error before Riley Zana doubled into right field to make the score, 2-0. Coastal added its final run of the inning on a double from Iyanla De Jesus who drove home Zana, to put the Chanticleers up 3-0.
Tennessee State added its lone run of the contest in the top of the seventh on a wild pitch and went down in order following the run.
In the circle, Picone (4-3) recorded her fourth win of the season and tallied a career-high five strikeouts against the Tigers. The Bethpage, N.Y. native, walked just one batter for the third time this season and allowed just one hit for the second time.
At the plate, Wrightsman went 1-for-2 with her bunt, and Roose finished the afternoon 2-for-3 at the plate, with one single and one double. Zana, Montoya, and De Jesus each went 1-for-3 with one RBI a piece.
Game 2 – Georgia State
The Chanticleers would get things rolling in the first inning, as Makiya Thomas singled up the middle before she advanced to second on a wild pitch. Montoya continued the Chants momentum she reached base on a wild pitch allowing Thomas to advance to third. De Jesus grounded about to shortstop which put Coastal up 1-0.
The Panthers pounced early as Emily Brown singled up the middle before stealing second base. Bailey Richardson followed with a base on balls setting up a Georgia State sac bunt to advance the runners as Daisy Hess followed with a walk to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed Brown to score and advance everyone on the bases one base. Richardson was out in a rundown between third and home before Hess scored the go-ahead run on a Sofie Mooney single to the right side to put the Panthers on top 2-1.
Coastal tried to make a push in the top of the third inning as the Chants recorded two hits but ultimately stranded two runners on base.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, GSU increased its lead to 3-1 on a sacrifice single.
Madison Hudson attempted the comeback for the Chants in the top of the seventh, as the sophomore knocked her third home run of the season over the left-field wall to make the score 3-2 but it wouldn't be enough.
In the circle, Kaitlin Beasley-Polko (4-3) recorded her third complete game of the season allowing just two hits and tallying three strikeouts in the circle.
Thomas finished the afternoon going 2-for-4 at the plate and adding a run.
On the final day of the Bubly Invitational, Coastal Carolina will have a rematch against No. 4 Florida at 11:30 a.m. ET for CCU's lone contest of the day.
For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSoftball (Twitter), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), and facebook.com/CCUChanticleers(Facebook) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina at www.GoCCUsports.com.
