CONWAY, S.C. — The Coastal Carolina softball team split day one of the Kickin' Chicken Classic, falling to Virginia 5–1 in game one before defeating Akron 8–3 in game two.
Game One – Coastal 1, Virginia 5
Virginia took the early lead in the top of the first inning when Macee Eaton hit a home run over right field to give the Cavaliers a 1–0 advantage.
In the top of the third, Eaton stayed hot with a double to left field. Bella Cabral then drove her home with a double of her own. Alex Call followed by clearing the bases with a two-run home run to extend Virginia's lead to 4–0.
Coastal got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning when
Brie Normandin scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 4–1.
Virginia added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Jade Hylton smashed a home run over the center-field wall to seal the 5–1 victory.
Abby Henderson took the loss in the circle, allowing four runs on six hits over 2.2 innings of work.
Game Two – Coastal 8, Akron 3
Akron struck first in the top of the first inning when Andrea Day delivered an RBI single through the left side to give the Zips a 1–0 lead.
Coastal answered in the bottom half of the inning when
Georgia Hood belted a two-run home run over the center-field wall — her first home run of the season — to put the Chants in front 2–1.
Akron evened the score in the top of the second when Meagan Lee ripped an RBI single through the left side to tie the game at 2–2.
The Chants regained the lead in the bottom of the second inning.
Clara Hudgens laid down an RBI bunt single, and Keith followed with an RBI single of her own to put Coastal ahead 4–2.
Akron narrowed the gap to 4–3 in the top of the sixth inning when Mckayla McGee lined an RBI double to left field.
Moira Baxter provided an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when she belted her first home run as a Chanticleer over the center-field wall. Coastal added three more runs in the inning, capitalizing on an Akron fielding error and an RBI single from
McKennah Metzger to secure the 8–3 win.
Mackenzie Childers earned her first win in the circle, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out five.
Kate Ryan picked up the save, allowing just one hit and striking out three over 1.2 innings of relief.
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.
