CONWAY, S.C. – For the second time at home the season, the Coastal Carolina softball team earned a Sun Belt Conference sweep – this time against Appalachian State as the Chanticleers downed the Mountaineers, 4-1, on Friday afternoon at St. John Stadium. 
 
Prior to the start of Friday's contest, the Chanticleers recognized graduating seniors from both institutions – including CCU seniors Shae Schreckengost, Makiya Thomas, Abbey Montoya, and Kaitlin Beasley-Polko. 
 
With the sweep, CCU improved to 21-27 overall and 7-17 in Sun Belt Conference play. App State dropped to 29-24 overall and 10-15 in conference play. 
 
Coastal was first on the board as Thomas sent a lead-off single to left field before back-to-back bunts from Montoya and Riley Zana loaded the bases. Iyanla De Jesus reached on a fielder's choice which scored Thomas, and advanced Montoya to third as Zana was out on the play and put the hosts up 1-0. 
 
In the bottom of the third, CCU used a three-run inning to push past the Mountaineers as Montoya was hit by a pitch to start the inning before stealing second base. De Jesus singled past App State's shortstop to score Montoya and make the score, 2-0. Keirstin Roose grounded out to second base but advanced pinch-runner Payton Ebersole to second followed by a Maddy Jennings (9 HR) two-run home run which gave the Chants a 4-0 advantage.  
 
App State tallied its lone run of the contest in the top of the fifth inning, as Addie Wray sent a lead-off double past third base before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Katelynn Crowe struck out but reached base on a passed ball, which allowed Wray to score and make the score 4-1. 
 
In the circle, Beasley-Polko (12-9) threw her ninth complete game of the season as the graduate student allowed just three hits and one run in 7.0 innings of work. The Leonardtown, Md. native also tallied 10 strikeouts for the third time this season. 
 
At the plate, Montoya and Schreckengost each finished the afternoon a perfect two-for-two while De Jesus and Jennings each tallied two RBI.
 
The Chanticleers now get set for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, May 10-14 in Mobile, Ala. at Jaguar Field. 

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.