Box Score

ROCK HILL, SC --  A big eight-run third inning powered Coastal Carolina to a 13-2 win over Winthrop Saturday afternoon at The Winthrop Ballpark.
 
Coastal Carolina sent 13 hitters to the plate in the third inning as the Chanticleers broke open the 1-1 ballgame scoring eight times on six hits in the inning.  RBI hits from Alex Buccilli, Justin Creel, Ted Blackman, and Jacob May along with bases loaded walks to Nick Oberg and Jake Kane gave Coastal a 9-1 lead through three innings.  The Chanticleers added to their commanding lead with single runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh while the Eagles continued to struggle in finding a rhythm against Coastal's pitching staff.
 
The loss in Game Two of the weekend series drops Winthrop to 12-24 (2-9 Big South) on the season while Coastal Carolina's eighth straight win improves its season record to 23-12 and 9-2 in the Big South.  The Eagles look to redeem themselves and avoid the series sweep on Sunday as the teams are set for a 1 p.m. first pitch in the series finale.
 
The Chanticleers grabbed an early lead with a run in the first off a sacrifice fly from Will Remillard scoring Kane from third to take a 1-0 lead.  The Eagles answered right back in the second when Max Vogel grounded out to second base bringing Clay Altman in to score from third tying the game 1-1.
 
The pivotal inning of the game came in the third when the Chanticleers plated eight consecutive runs with one out in the inning.  With the bases loaded, Buccilli drove a 3-1 pitch from Eagles starter Joey Strain (3-4) down the left field line bringing Kane and May around to score.  Creel followed with a single to right field bringing in Remillard from third.  With the bases loaded once again, reliever Mitchell Knox issued a walk to Oberg forcing Creel in from third.  Blackman then came to the plate for the second time in the inning and roped a single through the left side bringing Colin Hering in from third.  With the bases still full of Chanticleers, Kane drew a walk off of Knox forcing Remillard in from third.  May capped off the monster inning with an RBI single to first base giving Coastal a commanding 9-1 lead.
 
Coastal Carolina kept the pressure on as it went on to add runs in next four straight innings.  Winthrop got a run back in the sixth on an RBI double from Matt Lobacz scoring Leighton Daniels who had singled earlier in the inning.  However, the deficit proved to be too much as the Coastal went on to shut down the Winthrop offensive and wrap up the decisive 13-2 win.
 
The Eagles' defense were a strong help to Winthrop pitchers who allowed 18 hits to the Chanticleer offense as it tied a school record with five double plays turned.  Offensively for Winthrop, freshman shortstop Kyle Edwards tallied a pair of hits in the game while Daniels extended his hitting streak to six games with a leadoff single in the sixth. 
 
Coastal Carolina hitters were all over the Winthrop pitchers as 11 different players all had hits in the game while six players had multiple hits. 
 
Although disappointed with the loss, Winthrop head coach Tom Riginos looks forward to the series finale on Sunday.  “We have to come back a little more focused and a little more prepared.  Tomorrow is a big day for us.  It's a pride day,” stated Riginos after the game.
 
Sunday's starting pitching matchup is:
 
RHP Tyler Klitsch (1-6) vs. RHP Tyler Poole (4-1)
 
Sunday's game can be followed on the Winthrop Sports Network via www.winthropeagles.com.  The ticket window at The Winthrop Ballpark will open an hour before the start of the game.