CONWAY, South Carolina – Senior infielder
Kory Hayden (Palm Beach Gardens H.S./West Palm Beach, Fla.) had four hits and drove in two runs as Coastal Carolina swept a non-conference doubleheader against UNCW at the CCU Softball Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Chanticleers, who improved to 23-17 on the season, posted a 10-2 victory in the opener before shutting out the Seahawks by a 2-0 count in the nightcap. Meanwhile, UNCW had its record drop to 15-18.
Hayden led the Chanticleers to the victory in the first game by blasting her 10th home run of the season as Coastal Carolina used a five-run fifth inning to clinch the victory by the eight-run rule.
In the nightcap, Hayden accounted for three of the Chanticleers' eight hits after a 3-for-3 performance.
Senior
Casey Rowland (Colonie Central H.S./Albany, N.Y.) paced UNCW by collecting a pair of hits in the first game with a run batted in. Freshman
Sarah Davis (Walter Williams H.S./Burlington, N.C.) also banged out two hits in the opener.
How It Happened – Game 1: The Chanticleers sprinted out to a 5-0 lead in the first two innings, scoring twice in the first inning before a three-run second inning. Sophomore
Nella Chamblee (Corinth Holders H.S./Wendell, N.C.) walked with the bases loaded in the fourth inning to trim the deficit to 5-1 before Rowland hit an RBI single for UNCW's second run. However, Coastal Carolina secured the victory by scoring five runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth inning.
How It Happened – Game 2: Coastal Carolina scored the game's only runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. After senior
Kiana Quolas (Oaks Christian H.S./Oxnard, Calif.) singled home the first run of the game, junior
Morgan Noad (Conestoga H.S./Valley Forge, Pa.) upped the advantage to 2-0 with a sacrifice fly. Junior
Kelsey Dominik (Woolwich Township, N.J.) earned the shutout in the circle after scattering three hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
Inside the Box Scores: Coastal Carolina was 15-for-25 in advancement opportunities and 5-for-9 with runners in scoring position … UNCW did not allow a leadoff hitter to reach base in any of the Chanticleers' six at-bats during the second game.
Game Notes: Coastal Carolina has won 10 of its last 12 games … UNCW has lost six of its last seven games … The Chanticleers have won 11 of the last 12 meetings against the Seahawks … Davis has reached base safely in nine consecutive games, but had a five-game hitting streak snapped in the second game … Sophomore
Claudia Spinelli (Marvin Ridge H.S./Waxhaw, N.C.) had a six-game hitting streak end against Coastal Carolina in the nightcap … Holden's home run was the 58th of her career, tying the Big South Conference record.
Up Next for UNCW: The Seahawks will continue their Colonial Athletic Association schedule this weekend by visiting No. 24/25 James Madison for a three-game series. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday before a single game on Sunday.
