Wolfpack crushes Chants

Dean Williamson, Reporter|February 28, 2023

Coastal Carolina University baseball fell to a record of 2-2 Feb. 22 after losing to the No. 21 North Carolina State University (NC State) Wolfpack 16-4. 

 The Wolfpack came out hot when sophomore Will Marcy hit a two-run home run, putting them up 2-0 in the top of the first. CCU scored their first run in the bottom of the second inning. Redshirt senior Anthony Galason flew out, bringing senior Graham Brown home and cutting the deficit to 2-1. 

 In the top of the fourth inning, NC State pulled away and scored five runs. The inning was highlighted by freshman Eli Serrano III hitting a double, sending two runners home. 

 At the bottom of the fourth, the Chanticleers pulled a little bit closer to the Wolfpack. Galason singled, letting super senior Payton Eeles score. Freshman Dean Mihos hit a single into right field, sending Galason home and lessening the lead to 7-3. 

 Despite the small comeback from the Chants, NC State continued to dominate offensively. The Wolfpack tacked on four more runs during the top of the fifth inning, including a two-run triple from outfielder Trevor Candelaria. During the bottom of the fifth, Coastal continued to struggle offensively and fell to a deficit of 11-3. 

 Not much changed in the top of the sixth inning as NC State had another four-run inning. State outfielder Parker Nolan crushed a three-run home run. Later, Candelaria doubled into right field, bringing Serrano III home and making the Wolfpack lead 15-3. 

 NC State was still not finished offensively after scoring yet another run in the top of the eighth inning. Nolan hit his second home run of the game, extending the lead 16-3. 

 At the bottom of the eighth, Coastal finally got another run on the board. Eeles flew out to right field, giving Senior Tanner Garrison enough time to cross home plate. Neither team scored in the ninth inning, making the final score 16-4. 

 Coastal pitcher Riley Eikhoff (0-1) took his first loss of the season after only pitching for one inning. NC State pitcher Sam Highfill (1-0) was awarded his first win of the season after pitching a scoreless inning.  

 The Chanticleers will play again at home in a three-game series against Davidson College March 3-5.