Coastal Carolina softball worked their way to an 11-3 mercy rule victory over Charleston Southern (CSU) on Tuesday at St. John Stadium.
The Chanticleers opened the scoring early with back-to-back home runs over the left-field wall. Infielder Kaelin Cash hit a three-run blast, followed by a solo home run from catcher Izzy Ramirez.
Charleston Southern Buccaneers quickly turned to their bullpen after starter Kinsey Clopton allowed two walks and two home runs in the top of the first inning. Relief pitcher, Riley Lauffer, pitched for the duration of the game.
Lauffer threw four innings, allowing 10 hits, seven runs and two walks in favor of the Chants.
Coastal struck again in the next inning with another set of back-to-back homers. First baseman Georgia Hood hit a two-run shot, followed by Cash’s second home run of the game, extending the CCU lead to 7-0.
CCU fan Pam Jackson praised Coastal’s offensive performance and aggressiveness at the plate.
“They read the ball well and got a bunch of hits because of it,” Jackson said.
Coastal starter Abby Henderson recorded a win , finishing the day throwing three scoreless innings and only allowing three hits. She was subbed out for relief pitcher Reagan Troy.
Troy pitched the fourth inning, allowing two hits, three runs, one walk and one strikeout. Reliever Kate Ryan came in for the fifth inning, allowing only one hit.
Charleston Southern got their offense moving in the fourth inning, scoring three runs courtesy of singles by utility player Maddie Lee, infielder Lorenza Marcacci and all purpose player Cadence Warding. The Buccaneers were aided by two Chanticleer fielding errors.
Coastal fan Annie Parks noted how she believes the Chants can clean up those errors in future games.
“Need to communicate a little better, need to practice and talk at practice, don’t harp on errors, keep pushing forward,” Parks said.
CCU responded in the bottom of the inning. Following a double by third baseman Delaney Keith and a walk by Hood, the duo executed a double steal, with Hood taking second while Keith stole home to extend the Coastal lead to 8-3.
The Chants continued their momentum by scoring the final three runs needed to secure the mercy rule victory over CSU.
Infielder Hannah Bendle drew a walk, followed by a bunt single by outfielder Clara Hudgens. Keith hit a double, sending Bendle home and Hood drove in Hudgens. Cash then singled to bringing Keith home, ending the game at 11-3 in favor of the Chanticleers.
Coastal Carolina will begin a three-game series against Georgia Southern University with a doubleheader on Friday, with games starting at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
