CONWAY, S.C. – No. 8 Coastal Carolina used a relentless offensive attack and a big night from Rex Watson to defeat Old Dominion 16-8 on Friday night at Springs Brooks Stadium, taking the opener of this weekend's Sun Belt Conference series.
The Chanticleers jumped on the board immediately, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Dean Mihos started the rally and later scored on an RBI single up the middle from Walker Mitchell. One batter later, Watson launched a two-run home run to extend the lead to 3-1. The blast marked Watson's team-leading 12th home run of the season.
After Old Dominion answered with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning, Coastal responded right back in the bottom half of the frame. Holding a 4-1 advantage, Jackson Winer delivered the big swing, belting a three-run home run to left field, his fifth homer of the season, to push the Chanticleer lead to 7-1.
Coastal continued to apply pressure in the fifth inning, erupting for five runs without recording a hit. The Chanticleers drew five walks, were hit by two pitches, reached on a catcher's interference and capitalized on an Old Dominion error to build a 12-4 lead. Coastal, which entered the weekend leading the nation in hit-by-pitches, was plunked four times on the night, with Brice Estep and Mitchell each getting hit twice.
The Monarchs refused to go away, trimming the deficit to 12-7 after scoring in the top of the seventh inning. Coastal answered once again in the bottom half. With the bases loaded, Mitchell drove in a run after being hit by a pitch before Watson followed with a two-run RBI single to extend the lead.
Watson finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run and five RBIs. Like Watson, Mitchell finished with five RBIs.
Daniel Park earned the win on the mound for Coastal Carolina, improving to 3-0 on the season.
With the victory, the Chanticleers improved to 34-15 overall and 20-5 in Sun Belt Conference play.
Coastal Carolina and Old Dominion will continue the series on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Prior to first pitch, the Chanticleers will honor the 2016 Coastal Carolina baseball team as part of the 10-year anniversary celebration of the program's first national championship team.
