No. 20 Coastal Carolina Powers Past Georgia Southern, 15-2
STATESBORO, Ga. - Coastal Carolina hit five doubles, including three straight in the fifth inning, and three home runs, including back-to-back shots in the seventh, to take a 15-2 decision at Georgia Southern Friday night at J.I. Clements Stadium.
The 20th-ranked Chanticleers clinch the conference series win and improve to 21-8 overall, 8-0 in the Sun Belt while the Eagles fall to 12-14, 5-3. The series will conclude Saturday with first pitch set for 1 pm.
For the second straight game, CCU's first three batters (Cory Wood, Seth Lancaster and Kevin Woodall Jr.) each had two hits while Parker Chavers added two hits and three RBI to lead the Chanticleer offense. Lancaster and Chavers each had a home run and a double while Kyle Skeels contributed CCU's third four-bagger of the game.
Like Jason Bilous in the series opener Thursday, CCU starting pitcher Anthony Veneziano (3-0) struggled early but was able to limit the Eagle offense. He only allowed three hits and two runs (one earned) in five complete. Two of the three hits came in the third inning -- a two-run home run and a single. After the single, the sophomore retired seven straight before exiting with eight strikeouts for the game.
Coastal Carolina grabbed an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first. Wood started the game with a walk and Lancaster followed a home run to right-center field. The blast was Lancaster's second in as many days and seventh of the season. Zach Biermann walked and scored on a Lee Sponseller triple off the right field "Blue Monster." Kieton Rivers capped the scoring in the top half with an RBI ground out to bring home Sponseller.
The Chanticleers extended their lead to 6-0 in the third. Lancaster hit a leadoff double and Woodall followed with an RBI double to the left-center field gap. Then with two outs, Rivers looped a single over the second baseman's head to plate Woodall.
Georgia Southern took advantage of a CCU error and the long ball to cut its deficit to four, 6-2, in the bottom of the third. Christian Avant reached on an error to start the home half. Two batter later, Mason McWhorter hit an opposite field, two-run home run, just the Eagles' second hit of the game.
Coastal hit three doubles to score four runs in the fifth to grab a 10-2 lead. Woodall hit a leadoff single. Then, with two outs, Rivers walked. From that point, Chavers, Beaird and Michael Koenig hit consecutive doubles to drive in four runs.
In the seventh, Coastal hit back-to-back home runs as part of a five-run inning to provide the 15-2 final. Cameron Pearcey was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Two batters later, Chavers hit a two-run home run over the 25-foot tall "Blue Monster" in right field, becoming just the fifth player to accomplish the feat. (Chavers is the second Chanticleer to clear the "monster" as Lancaster did so last year in the Sun Belt Tournament.) On the next pitch, Skeels crushed a home run over the left field wall. Wood singled and Lancaster walked. The Eagles looked to end the inning on a ground ball, but a throwing error allowed both Wood and Lancaster to score.
Zach McCambley struck out four over three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk. Dylan Gentry worked a 1-2-3 ninth with a strikeout to wrap up the win.
Seth Shuman (3-3) suffered the loss despite striking out nine in 4.2 innings. However, he allowed nine hits and a career-high 10 runs with four walks, despite entering the game allowing just four walks (with 10 strikeouts) in his six starts (41.2 innings).
Alberius Tosses Complete-Game Gem in Win Over Louisiana
JONESBORO, Ark. (3/30/18) – Arkansas State right-hander Nate Alberius tossed his first complete game of the season as the Red Wolves defeated Louisiana 14-2 Friday night at Tomlinson Stadium.
Alberius struck out seven and did not issue a walk while giving up just two runs on seven hits to notch A-State’s first nine-inning complete game since April 22, 2016. He needed 108 pitches to get through the night and retired 13 in a row at one point.
Kyle MacDonald and Tobias Johnson each drove in three runs to help the Red Wolves ensure their first series win over the Ragin’ Cajuns (11-15, 2-6 SBC) since 2012. MacDonald helped give A-State (11-12, 3-5 SBC) the lead in the third inning with a two-run double and then drove in another as part of a six-run seventh inning that put the game away.
Johnson also played a key role in the seventh inning when he delivered a bases-clearing double that plated three runs. Cullen Ray also drove in one of his two runs in the inning, while Winston Welch drew a bases loaded walk to score the first run of the inning.
The Cajuns took an early lead with an RBI groundout from Zach LaFleur in the second inning, but A-State answered with an RBI infield single from Casey Vaughan in the bottom half to tie the game.
MacDonald followed with his two-run double in the third inning and later scored on a wild pitch, while Drew Tipton drove in a run on sacrifice fly to complete the four-run frame.
Arkansas State added two more runs in the fifth inning on an error and an RBI single by Andrew Leggo, while Welch scored on an error by the Louisiana centerfielder on a single from Jeremy Brown.
A-State will go for the series sweep Saturday afternoon at Kell Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN App.
Trojans Claim Series Against Bobcats With 7-4 Win
SAN MARCOS, Texas - Little Rock notched its fourth win in a row while claiming its fourth-straight series in the process with a 7-4 win over Texas State Friday night at Bobcat Ballpark. The Trojans are now are 16-10 on the year while retaining the first place position in the Sun Belt Western division with a 6-2 record in the conference.
With the win, Little Rock notched its 10th victory in the last 12 games and improves to 11-4 all-time against the Bobcats as the Trojans have still never lost a series to Texas State.
Little Rock's bats began the game hot, racing out to a 6-0 lead after three innings. The scoring began quickly in the top of the first inning as Chase Coker, the second batter of the game, knocked a solo home run to left, putting the Trojans up 1-0.
The Trojans added another in the top of the second as a Ryan Benavidez knocked an RBI single to left, scoring Riley Pittman to extend their lead to 2-0.
Little Rock then broke the game open in the third, scoring four runs and pushing its lead to six runs. The Trojans registered five-straight hits, beginning with singles from Matt Merino and Troy Alexander to put two runners on. Kale Emshoff then found a hole on the left side, scoring Merino for the third run of the game.
Pittman then blasted a double to center, scoring Alexander, followed by an RBI single from Nick Perez to bring Emshoff home. Benavidez drew a five-pitch walk to load the bases, then Marcus Ragan drew another walk on a seven-pitch at-bat, allowing Pittman to jog home for the Trojans' sixth run.
Texas State answered with two in the bottom of the third, trimming the lead to 6-2, and it remained that way until the seventh when Perez was able to bring Emshoff home and giving Little Rock the 7-2 lead. A two-RBI single by the Bobcats in the bottom of the seventh cut the lead to 7-4, but that was as close as Texas State would get as the Trojan bullpen closed the door on the rally attempt.
Little Rock's pitching staff frustrated the Bobcats all evening, holding Texas State to just two hits on the day. Pablo Ortiz gets the win in his first start as a Trojan. After only throwing 8.0 innings total heading into this game, Ortiz lasted 5.0 innings on the evening getting three strikeouts and allowed two runs off of one hits and two walks.
Hayden Arnold and Nick Perez combined to pitch three innings, allowing two runs on one hit, setting up closer Justin Garcia in the ninth. Garcia struck out two of the three Bobcats he faced, earning his seventh save of the year.
A number of offensive streaks continued for Little Rock as Coker, Alexander and Gann all extended their hitting streaks to six games. The trio each went 1-for-5, driving in a pair of runs while scoring two runs between them.
Pittman had the hot bat for the Trojans, going 3-for-4 from the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. Merino and Emshoff both posted 2-for-5 outings for Little Rock, scoring a combined three runs as Little Rock pounded out 12 hits, compared to just the two for the Bobcats.
Little Rock will now try for the series sweep in game three Saturday, getting underway at 1 p.m. from Bobcat Ballpark.
Hollie, Patterson Star In Series Clincher
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Christian Hollie went 4-for-4 and Trae Patterson struck out a career-high nine in 7.1 shutout innings, leading UTA baseball to a 5-0 series-clinching win over ULM on Friday night at Clay Gould Ballpark.
UTA (13-11, 6-2 Sun Belt Conference) clinched its second conference weekend series in three chances and have now won nine of its last 11 games. The Mavs coasted to the win on Friday night to clinch the series behind a three-run second inning and single tallies in the third and fifth.
LEADING THE MAVS
The Mavs collected nine hits in the win, with Hollie's 4-for-4 leading the charge. UTA also got hits from Zac Cook, RJ Williams, Omar Salinas, Will Olson and Josh Minjarez. Salinas extended his hitting streak to a career-long 12 games with a 1-for-4 outing. Olson, Hollie and Minjarez each had doubles.
ON THE MOUND
UTA starter Trae Patterson (2-1) worked a season-high 7.1 innings, allowing four hits and three walks, fanning a career-high nine. He exited after an out and baserunner opened the eighth inning in favor of Andrew Gross. Gross stranded the runner to escape the eighth inning. Senior Daniel James worked the ninth inning.
ULM (14-11, 3-4 Sun Belt) starter Chase Beal (2-3) worked 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and five runs – three earned – walking two and fanning two. ULM also used Kolton Childress and Cody Cash in relief, with Childress working three innings.
NEXT
The series will conclude on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT at Clay Gould Ballpark. The game will be broadcast live on UTAMavs.com, with the Voice of the Mavs, Josh Sours, calling the action. UTA will start junior righty Ka'ikepono Anderson (0-1, 7.71 ERA) vs. ULM junior right-hander Justin Olauhlin (1-0, 6.48 ERA).
HOW THEY SCORED
The Mavs struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Hollie led off with a first-pitch single into leftfield and took second on a wild pitch. After a productive groundout from Will Olson and a walk to Noah Vaughan, Jakob Nunez chopped a ball in the hole that went for a fielding error to score Hollie. Minjarez then ripped a double down the leftfield line to score Vaughan from second. Aaron Funk followed and lined a sac fly to centerfield, allowing Nunez to score from third.
Hollie legged out a hustle double with one out in the bottom of the third inning and Olson scored him after belting a 2-0 pitch into the gap for his third double of the year.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, UTA got a leadoff single from Williams, who stole second for his fourth steal of the year. Salinas then extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a knock to rightfield to put runners on the corners for Hollie. Hollie ripped an RBI single into rightfield to score Williams.
EILAND, FOUR-RUN FIRST LIFT JAG BASEBALL OVER APP STATE IN SERIES OPENER
MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama baseball team scored four runs in the first inning, and right-hander Will Eiland tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings for a 9-1 series-opening win over Appalachian State Friday at Stanky Field.
Eiland (1-0) struck out a career-high four batters in a career-high 4 1/3 scoreless innings, and allowed just two hits while issuing one walk.
South Alabama will return to action Saturday when it hosts App State in a doubleheader to conclude the series, with game one of the twinbill set for a 10:30 a.m. first pitch.
GAME FACTS
- Dylan Hardy reached on an infield single to shortstop with one out in the top of the first, and moved to second on a walk by Brendan Donovan. A double steal advanced both runners into scoring position before Hunter Brittain drew a walk to load the bases with one out. Wells Davis then drew a walk to score Hardy for a 1-0 Jaguar advantage. Carter Perkins followed with an RBI single through the right side of the infield to plate Donovan and double the Jaguar lead at 2-0. Hunter Stokes delivered a two-out, two-run double down the left field line later in the inning to score Brittain and Davis for a 4-0 Jaguar lead.
- App State answered with its first run of the game in the top of the second. Drew Beck led off the inning with a single to left field, moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a single to center field by CJ Brown to put runners at the corners with no outs. Arguelles then rolled a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Jason Avers that allowed Beck to score from third and cut the USA lead to 4-1.
- Swaggerty reached on a one-out walk in the bottom of the fourth, and moved to second on a single to left field by Hardy. Donovan reached on a hit by pitch to load the bases with one out before Brittain drew a walk to score Swaggerty and extend the USA lead to 5-1. Davis walked to score Hardy and push the Jaguar lead to 6-1.
- USA took a 7-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth on a two-out RBI single to left field by Donovan that scored Michael Sandle, who reached on a one-out walk earlier in the inning.
- The Jags pushed their lead to 8-1 in the bottom of the seventh on a one-out RBI single through the left side of the infield by Hardy that scored Swaggerty, who reached on a fielding error by App State third baseman Beck.
- A two-out RBI single to center field by Stokes in the bottom of the eighth scored Will Luft, who doubled to left field with two outs, with the game's final run.
NOTES
- Six Jaguar starters hit safely in the game, led by Hardy who went 3-for-5 with one RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Stokes finished 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs, and Davis added a hit, two RBIs, one run scored and walked three times.
- Arguelles allowed just one run on two hits with seven strikeouts against three walks in 4 2/3 innings pitched without factoring in the decision.
- App State left-hander Collin Schmid (1-2) allowed six runs on four hits with six strikeouts and seven walks in 3 1/3 innings in the loss.
- Hardy extended his on-base streak to 25 games.
- USA extended its winning streak against App State to four games.
- The Jaguars stole a season-high four bases in the game, led by Hardy's two. Swaggerty and Donovan finished with one stolen base apiece.
QUOTES
Head Coach Mark Calvi
- On the mound:
"Andy (Arguelles) struck out the first three guys he faced, but went a little too deep in too many counts and that's why we had to go out there and get him early. He hung in there and made some pitches when he had to; I have seen him with better stuff than that and I have seen him just like that tonight. But he hangs in there and makes some pitches to kind of keep you on the edge of your seat. And Will Eiland was really good coming in behind him, coming out of the bullpen and throwing strikes."
- On the offense:
"We didn't have a lot of hits, but when you have bases loaded and guys take a couple of walks on marginal pitches then that's as good as a single to me. Our guys were unselfish and took what they were given tonight. We had five or six guys with RBIs, and when you do that then you usually win if you pitch and play good defense. I was pleased with the result, but there are still some guys who are continuing to work hard and not getting results; they just need to keep grinding. When they get going, then our offense will start to click a little bit more but I am pleased with the result tonight."
UP NEXT
South Alabama will return to action Saturday when it hosts App State in a doubleheader to conclude the series, with game one of the twinbill set for a 10:30 a.m. first pitch.
GADDIS, BAKER, KILGORE LEAD 5-2 WIN TO EVEN SERIES AT TROY
Troy, Ala. -- Will Kilgore's two-run single in the ninth inning broke a 2-2 tie and sent Georgia State to a 5-2 victory over Troy Friday night at Riddle-Pace Field, evening their Sun Belt Conference series at one game apiece.
Hunter Gaddis pitched seven strong innings, and Brandon Baker held the Trojans (18-9, 4-4 Sun Belt) scoreless over the final two innings to earn the victory for Georgia State (13-13, 2-5 Sun Belt).
Earlier in the day, the teams completed Game 1, which was suspended Thursday, as Troy won 14-4.
The series concludes with a 2 p.m. ET game Saturday.
GAME 1: Troy 14, Georgia State 4
In the completion of a game that was suspended Thursday, Troy scored 11 runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to win 14-4 in the series opener against Georgia State.
Both teams scored three runs in the first inning.
Georgia State jumped in front with five hits in the first off Troy ace Andrew Crane, including RBI-singles by Brandon Bell, Luke Leonard and Kalen Puckett.
But GSU starter Jordan Lee walked four in the bottom of the first, and the Trojans tied the game on a wild pitch and a two-run single by Chase Smartt.
The scored remained 3-3 when the game was delayed by lightning with Troy batting in the bottom of the third inning.
After the resumption Friday, Georgia State moved ahead with a run in the top of the fourth. Romero Greer and Justin Jones singled, and then Greer came home on Nick Gatewood's groundout, putting the Panthers ahead 4-3.
But after that, Troy reliever Cory Childress was able to finish the game without allowing another run, pitching six innings and allowing just one run on three hits with five strikeouts.
And the Trojans scored four runs in the fourth, four more in the fifth and three in the sixth as Georgia State pitchers struggled to find the strike zone, issuing 11 walks.
GAME 2: Georgia State 5, Troy 2
Will Kilgore's two-run single in the ninth inning broke a 2-2 tie and sent Georgia State to a 5-2 victory over Troy Friday night at Riddle-Pace Field, evening their Sun Belt Conference series at one game apiece.
Starter Hunter Gaddis pitched seven strong innings, and then Brandon Baker (2-1) retired the Trojans in order in the eighth and ninth to earn the victory.
With the scored tied at 2-2, Brandon Bell led off the top of the ninth with a single up the middle that was deflected by pitcher C.J. Carter (3-3), the Troy closer. Jack Thompson and Luke Leonard drew walks to load the bases, and then Kilgore laced the first pitch into to center field for a two-run single and a 4-2 GSU lead. With one out, Mike Huggins drove in an insurance run with a groundout to give the Panthers a 5-2 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Baker, the senior left-hander, quickly retired the Trojans, sealing the win with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout. He finished with three strikeouts in his two perfect innings.
Gaddis, the Panthers' ace, was not involved in the decision despite another outstanding start. In seven innings, he allowed two runs but only one earned on eight hits with eight strikeouts and two walks.
Before the ninth inning, all four runs in the game were scored in the second inning.
For the Panthers, Leonard singled with one out and then scored as Kilgore tripled over the center fielder's head. Romero Greer's sacrifice fly put Georgia State ahead 2-0.
But Troy answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, aided by an error on a popup to shallow right field.