TROY, Ala. — Coastal Carolina nearly erased a five-run deficit Friday night, but Louisiana held off the Chanticleers for a 5-4 victory at Riddle-Pace Field, ending Coastal's run in the Sun Belt Conference Baseball Championship presented by Troy University.
Trailing 5-0 through three and a half innings, the Chanticleers (37-21) chipped away at the deficit and brought the tying run to third base and the winning run to second in the ninth inning before Louisiana recorded the final out.
Louisiana (37-22) broke open a scoreless game in the third inning, capitalizing on a Coastal error before Colt Brown delivered a two-run double and Drew Markle followed with a two-run single for a 4-0 lead. The Ragin' Cajuns added what proved to be the decisive run in the fourth when Maddox Mandino doubled home Blaze Rodriguez to make it 5-0.
The Chanticleers answered in the bottom of the fourth. Walker Mitchell doubled to lead off the inning, Rex Watson followed with an RBI double and Trace Mazon lined an RBI single through the left side to trim the deficit to 5-2.
Coastal moved within a run in the eighth. Blake Barthol doubled to open the frame and Mitchell followed with an RBI double to right field. Wiht one out, Mazon delivered his second RBI single of the night to score Mitchell and cut the Louisiana lead to 5-4.
The Chanticleers mounted one final threat in the ninth. After the first two batters were retired, Dean Mihos drew a two-out walk and advanced to third when Barthol singled to right field and then stole second. With the tying run 90 feet away and the winning run in scoring position, Louisiana closer Cody Brasch recorded a game-ending strikeout to preserve the victory.
Barthol led Coastal's 11-hit attack, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, a stolen base and a run scored. Mitchell added three hits, including two doubles, while scoring twice and driving in a run. Mazon finished with two hits and two RBIs, and Watson contributed two hits and an RBI.
Ross Norman (6-6) took the loss after allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits over four innings. Coastal's bullpen kept the Chanticleers within striking distance the rest of the way, as Colby Richardson, Daniel Parker and Ryan Lynch combined for five scoreless innings and 11 strikeouts.
The Chanticleers will now await Monday's NCAA Baseball Championship Selection Show to learn their postseason destination.
