CONWAY, S.C. – No. 24 Coastal Carolina used a strong pitching performance and timely hitting to defeat Georgia Southern 7-2 in the front end of a doubleheader Saturday at Springs Brooks Stadium.

The Chanticleers (14-5, 2-0 Sun Belt) struck early with two runs in the first inning, highlighted by Sebastian Alexander's RBI double and Walker Mitchell's run-scoring single. After Georgia Southern (10-8, 0-2 Sun Belt) cut the deficit in half with a solo home run from Jonathan Jaime in the second, Coastal Carolina responded with a run in the fourth before breaking the game open with a four-run fifth.

Wells Sykes delivered the big blow in the fifth, launching a three-run home run to left field to cap the rally. Alexander and Mitchell each had multi-hit games, while Kaleb Huffman added an RBI double.

Right-hander Cameron Flukey (2-0) earned the win, striking out nine over six innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits. Luke Jones finished the game with three scoreless innings to pick up his first save of the season.

Georgia Southern starter Jax Lewis (2-1) took the loss after giving up six runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings.

The two teams will conclude the doubleheader with Game 2 set to begin at 4:25 p.m. ET.