Chanticleer softball took the field for a thrilling game against the University of Notre Dame, coming out on top for their first game of the “Battle at the Beach” tournament this weekend.
Coastal will return to St. John Stadium on Feb. 15 to play Marist University for their second game in the tournament.
The game started with pitcher Abby Henderson on the mound, and despite a tough first inning where Notre Dame got off to a fast start with a triple and a run, Henderson settled in and kept the damage to a minimum. She struck out two batters in the inning, showing composure early on.
On the offensive side, Coastal responded with a utility Libby Pippin single and then a Georgia Hood hit that brought Pippin home, tying the game at 1-1.
The second inning was all about defense for Coastal. Henderson pitched a clean inning, and the defense behind her was just as solid. Coastal couldn’t capitalize on their offensive chances in the second. The game remained tied 1-1 as the teams headed into the third inning.
Then came one of the most memorable moments of the game. Pippin, in left field, made an incredible catch at the wall, robbing Notre Dame of a potential home run. It left the crowd buzzing. After that, Notre Dame took a 2-1 lead with a solo home run. However, the Chanticleers were able to respond as Delaney Keith stepped up to the plate and delivered a two-run shot of her own, putting Coastal back on top 3-2.
In the fourth inning, Notre Dame tied the game 3-3 with another home run. Coastal struggled to respond in the bottom half of the inning. As the game moved into the fifth inning, Notre Dame took a 6-3 lead after some aggressive base running and a couple of key hits, including a single that brought in two runs. A Coastal pitching change brought Nicolette Picone to the mound, and she quickly settled things down, striking out a batter to get out of the jam.
In the seventh inning, down by three, Coastal started to fight back. Keith hit her second home run of the day, pulling the score at 6-4 in favor of Notre Dame.
Hood and Keirstin Roose each singled, setting the stage for Maddy Jennings, who came through with a clutch single that brought both runners home, tying the game at 6-6.
Extra innings brought more excitement. Notre Dame started with a runner on second, and though they managed to take the lead again at 7-6 with a single, Picone didn’t let the inning slip away from her. She struck out two batters to end the top half of the inning, giving the Chants another chance to respond.
In the bottom of the eighth, Clara Hudgens came through with a huge single, bringing the game-tying home run. With runners on first and third, it was Hood once again who stepped up and delivered the walk-off single that sealed a nail-biting 8-7 victory in extra innings.
