BOONE, N.C. – The Coastal Carolina softball team dropped an 8-7 decision in a back-and-forth battle against Appalachian State on Saturday afternoon.

App State took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Grace Barrett singled to right field to drive in Makayla McClain.

In the bottom of the second, the Mountaineers extended their advantage as McClain singled up the middle to make it 2-0.

The Chanticleers narrowed the gap in the top of the third when Georgia Hood doubled to left-center to drive in Libby Pippin from second base, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Coastal rallied in the fourth inning when Brie Normandin led off with a walk, and Delaney Keith belted her 19th home run of the season, a two-run shot that put the Chants in front for the first time at 3-2.

The Mountaineers responded in the bottom half, scoring on a caught stealing attempt and an RBI groundout to retake the lead at 4-3.

The seesaw battle continued in the fifth when Hope McDonald recorded her first hit of the year, launching a two-run home run over the right-field wall to give Coastal a 5-4 edge.

In the sixth, Barrett delivered her second RBI single of the game to tie it at 5-5.

Coastal continued to battle in the top of the seventh, putting runners on second and third after a Maddy Jennings walk and a McKennah Metzger double. Normandin then lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, driving in the go-ahead run to make the score 6-5. 

App State didn't go away in the bottom of the seventh, as McClain ripped a two-out RBI single to even the score at 6-6 and send the game into extra innings.

Coastal's top of the order came in clutch in the top of the eighth inning when Keith, Hood, and Keirstin Roose hit three straight singles to load the bases. Jennings then sent a sacrifice fly into left field to put Coastal up 7-6

The Mountaineers kept their composure in the bottom of the frame, as Leah Gore hit a leadoff home run and Taylor Chumbley walked it off with an RBI single to left field for the 8-7 victory.

Pitcher Nicolette Picone dropped to 23-9, allowing four runs on six hits over 4.2 innings of work.

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.