CONWAY, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina softball team split a pair of games on opening day at the Kickin' Chicken Classic. The Chanticleers opened the day with a 6-1 win over the Creighton Bluejays but fell 7-5 to Purdue Fort Wayne in game two.

Sophomore Clara Hudgens led the Chants' offense, batting .800 while recording four hits, four runs, and two RBIs. Senior Georgia Hood followed closely behind, going 4-for-6 at the plate with two home runs and five RBIs.

Creighton 1, Coastal 6

Coastal kicked off scoring in the bottom of the third inning when Hudgens and Delaney Keith hit back-to-back singles to get on first and second base, respectively. Junior Libby Pippin then advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt to put them both in scoring position. Hood followed by clearing the bases with a home run over the left center field wall to put the Chants up 3-0.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Livi Payne reached second base on a dropped third strike and an error. Hudgens then ripped a single up the middle to drive in the fourth run of the game for the Chants. 

The Bluejays tallied one run in the top of the fifth when Sydra Seville reached on a single and was brought home following a Coastal miscue to make the score 4-1. 

The Chants added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single from Keith and a sacrifice fly from Pippin to secure the 6-1 victory. 

Pitcher Nicolette Picone picked up her first win of the season throwing a complete game while surrendering one run on six hits.

Purdue Fort Wayne 7, Coastal 5

The Chanticleers got off to a quick start versus the Mastodons after Hood belted her second home run of the day in the bottom of the first inning to give the Chants a 2-0 lead. 

Purdue Fort Wayne narrowed the gap to 2-1 in the top of the second inning when Brooke Lickey laced an RBI single to center field driving in Tori Countryman. 

Coastal extended its lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the second inning when Pippin ripped an RBI double to right-center field, scoring Hudgens from first base.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Mastodons rattled off six runs, scoring on an RBI single, RBI double, two-run triple, and a two-run home run to push out in front, 7-3.

The Chants took advantage of a leadoff walk in the bottom sixth inning when Hudgens cracked an RBI double to right field. Keith immediately followed up with a one-run triple down the right field line to cut the deficit to 7-5, but it was ultimately not enough to complete the comeback.

Sophomore Abby Henderson suffered her first loss in the circle, allowing eight hits and five runs over her 4.1 innings of work.

The Chanticleers will be back in action tomorrow for a pair of games versus Purdue Fort Wayne and Creighton at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSoftball (X), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), and facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.