TROY, Ala. – The Coastal Carolina softball team defeated 10th-seeded Southern Miss 7-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday evening.

Senior Keirstin Roose gave Coastal a dream start, launching a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to give the Chants a 3-0 lead.

The Golden Eagles narrowed the gap in the top of the third inning when Carrie Green hit an RBI single down the third base line to score Kayce Bennett to make the score 3-1.

The Chants answered back in the bottom of the frame, scoring on a McKennah Metzger RBI groundout to push the lead to 4-1. 

Coastal continued to apply pressure in the bottom of the fourth inning loading the bases on a Clara Hudgens single and two walks, however, the Golden Eagles held strong to hold the score at 4-1. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Maddy Jennings added an insurance run, belting a solo home run over the center-field wall to extend the advantage to 5-1.

The Chanticleers capped the scoring in the sixth, when Delaney Keith laced an RBI single to right-center and later scored on a bases-loaded walk to seal the 7-1 win.

Nicolette Picone improved to 25-9 in the circle, allowing just one run on six hits in her 22nd complete game of the season.

The Chanticleers will be back in action tomorrow to take on the No. 2 seeded Marshall Thundering Herd in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals at 2 p.m. ET.

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.