Coastal Carolina softball fell to No. 23 University of South Carolina (USC) 12-2 , marking CCU’s fourth consecutive loss .
Kyle Gore, a USC fan, emphasized the competitive nature of the matchup between CCU and USC.
“There’s always been a little something, definitely a rival, but a fun game,” Gore said.
USC immediately got on the board in the top of the first inning when the second baseman, Karley Shelton, hit an RBI double to left center, scoring the runner from first.
Back–to–back wild pitches and a bases loaded walk quickly put USC up 3-0, chasing CCU’s starter Mackenzie Childers back to the bullpen.
CCU threatened in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff walk to left fielder Libby Pippin and a single to center by right fielder McKennah Metzger. However, USC pitcher Emma Friedel was able to escape the jam by getting Coastal’s shortstop Brie Normandin to ground out to end the inning.
CCU supporter Kelsi Bachman noted Coastal’s struggle.
“USC definitely stole all the momentum from the first inning, and Coastal kind of struggled with their bats a little bit. Getting them going, it wasn’t too consistent,” Bachman said.
CCU’s new pitcher, Metzger, who came into the game from right field, was able to stop the scoring by recording the last two outs of the first inning, then followed it up by recording an out against the next six batters.
Entering the top of the fourth inning, USC was leading by a score of 3-0 until left fielder Quincee Lilio hit a two RBI double down the right field line, immediately followed by another Karley Shelton RBI single.
Two more RBI hits would make USC’s lead 9-0.
Metzger put CCU on the board in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to straight away center field, making the score 9-1.
USC would not let Coastal get the upper hand, with a solo home run of their own by shortstop Shae Anderson. Two more RBI hits in the inning brought the score to 12-1.
CCU was able to get one of those runs back in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI sacrifice fly by Pippin but unfortunately ending the game on a 12-2 mercy rule.
Despite the loss, Coastal Carolina fan Randy Pippin is still optimistic about their upcoming games.
“They’ve obviously got a good team. We use this as a learning experience, and get ready for conference play, which is really all that matters in the big picture,” Pippin said.
CCU has a three-game home series against Appalachian State University on March 13 at 6 p.m.
