CONWAY – Coastal Carolina exploded for eight runs in the eighth inning – including a grand slam by Matt Beaird – as the Chanticleers (10-3) claimed a 13-7 victory over Radford (3-8) Sunday in the final game of the Johnny Gardner Law Group Tournament at Springs Brooks Stadium.
Radford, down 13-3 and facing its final at, made it interesting by sending 10 men to the plate and scoring four runs with two outs in the ninth. However, Dylan Gentry recorded a strikeout with bases loaded to preserve the win.
Radford scored the first three runs of the game on a three-run home run in the second inning. Coastal then put single runs on the scoreboard in the second, third and fourth innings to tie the game, 3-.3.
In the seventh Kevin Woodall Jr., hit a two-run home run to give Coastal a two-run lead. The Chants then sent 13 batters to the plate in scoring their eight runs in the eighth and looked as if they would pull away for a 13-3 win. However, the Highlanders battled to the end to provide the 13-7 final.
For the game, Woodall was 3-for-3 with three runs scored, two walks and two RBI. Parker Chavers also scored three runs while Beaird’s grand slam proved to the game-winning runs.
Radford struck first with a three-run home run in the top of the second. Garrett Matheny singled, Straton Podaras doubled and Luke Wise cleared the bases with a home run to right field.
Coastal manufactured a run in the bottom of the second. Woodall doubled, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a balk.
The Chants scored another after loading the bases in the third. First, Lee Sponseller was hit by a pitch for force home Kieton Rivers, who was also hit by a pitch, to make it a 3-2 contest.
In the fourth inning, Coastal knotted the game at 3-3 as Chavers, for the second time in as many days, hit a solo home run.
Woodall broke the tie with a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh. Prior to the 422-foot blast, Seth Lancaster singled. Woodall now has seven home runs and 20 RBI in 13 games this season.
The Chants sent 13 batters to plate and exploded for eight runs in the eighth. Chavers was hit by a pitch and Cory Wood followed with a bunt single. Lancaster grounded out to first base, but Chavers never broke stride and scored from second base. The Highlanders intentionally walked Woodall and pinch hitter Kyle Skeels to load the bases. Zach Biermann walked to force home Wood and Michael Koenig drew a four-pitch walk to bring home Woodall. Beaird cleared the bases with his first career grand slam. Chavers got it started again with a walk and he scored after singles by Wood and Kieton Rivers.
Radford pinch hitter Mason Scoville started the ninth-inning rally with a bloop single to left field. After a walk, Colby Higgerson hit a two-run triple. Kyle Butler then singled to drive in Higgerson. Coastal then loaded the bases thanks to a walk and hit batter. Matheny walked to force in the fourth run of the frame. Gentry then came out of the CCU bullpen and struck out Scoville to end the contest.
Shaddon Peavyhouse (1-1) earned the win in relief. He worked three scoreless innings (sixth, seventh and eighth) and allowed just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts.
Coastal will return to action Wednesday (Mar. 7) and host Wake Forest. First pitch at Springs Brooks Stadium is set for 4 pm.