CONWAY, S.C. – A day after delivering a walk-off grand slam, Rex Watson came through again in a big moment Saturday afternoon, blasting a go-ahead three-run home run in the eighth inning to lift No. 16 Coastal Carolina to a 7-1 win over East Carolina.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Watson stepped to the plate and drove a three-run homer to right field to break the deadlock and give the Chanticleers a 4-1 lead.

Coastal Carolina continued to add on in the inning. Cole Chamberlain doubled to score Colby Thorndyke and extend the lead to 5-1. Later in the frame, Brice Estep capped the six-run inning with a two-run home run to push the Chanticleers' advantage to 7-1.

That offensive outburst was more than enough support for Coastal starter Ross Norman, who turned in a career performance on the mound.

Norman tossed a career-high eight innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out four. After surrendering a leadoff home run to East Carolina's first batter of the game, the right-hander settled in and dominated the Pirates lineup, allowing just three hits and no runs over the remainder of his outing.

With the win, Coastal Carolina improves to 9-5 on the season.

The Chanticleers will wrap up the three-game weekend series against East Carolina on Sunday at Springs Brooks Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.