Chants sweep the Eagles

Photo+by+Dean+Williamson

Photo by Dean Williamson

Softball continued their great season after sweeping the Georgia Southern University Eagles in a three-game series.

After their last win, the team moved to 28-9 on the season. Following the success, Coastal Carolina University picked up three more conference wins, making them 5-4 in the Sun Belt Conference.

In the first game of the series, the Chanticleers shut out the Eagles 8-0. The game was highlighted by Senior Indya Smith hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning.

The second game of the series was a lot more competitive than the first. The Eagles jumped to a three-run lead early in the game. Coastal was able to make a comeback by taking the lead near the end of the game and securing the victory at 5-4.

The final game of the weekend series was similar to the first. CCU slammed Georgia Southern for the second time of the weekend 5-0. The team hit two home runs, including a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Recreation Matt Hogue said wins in the Sun Belt Conference are difficult.

“We play in one of the toughest softball conferences in the country,” Hogue said. “Conference wins are hard to come by, it’s not easy to win in this league.”

Throughout the whole weekend, Coastal’s pitching and offense were playing extremely well. One softball player’s father Chris Jennings said he recognized that the sweep was a full team effort.

“They had a really good weekend,” Jennings said. “The offense came out firing, the pitchers pitched really well, and the defense played good behind them.”

During the season and the three-game series, Hogue said Coastal’s pitching staff performed well.

“Our pitching staff, which is a veteran pitching staff, has performed exceptionally well,” Hogue said. “For the most part has been probably the strength of our team through the 30 plus games, which you’ve gotta have pitching is critical for success.”

The Chanticleers will be trying to keep their conference success going on the road against the Troy University Trojans for a three-day conference series April 6-8.