SAN MARCOS, TEXAS – The sixth-seeded Coastal Carolina softball team (38-19) won their fourth straight game and third game of the 2019 Sun Belt Tournament as they knocked off the two seed Troy Trojans (37-19 ) on Thursday morning at Bobcat Stadium by a score of 4-2.
Coastal Carolina added the first runs of the game in the top of the third inning off Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Leanna Johnson. Chant freshman Sydney Guess led off the inning with her first hit by pitch of the year off the Troy right-hander. The Chanticleers capitalized with Guess on base as the third batter of the inning, sophomore. Stavi Augur, connected with her 10th home run of the season to put CCU up by the score of 2-1.
Troy cut the Coastal Carolina lead to one run in the bottom of the third as Madeline Porter singled with one out and then moved over to third base with two outs. Chant starter Ashley Guillette struggled with her control in the third inning as she uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Porter to come home to score from third base to make it a 2-1 game.
The Chanticleers offense struck big in the top of the fourth as senior Alexis Alvino led off with a single but the next batter, senior Natalie David gave the Chanticleers a 4-1 lead with her second home run in as many days and her seventh of the season.
The Trojans cut the Chanticleers’ lead to two runs in the bottom of the fourth as they rallied with two hits and a run. With one out in the inning, Stephanie Synder singled to right field and Hope Lively worked a walk off Guillette. After Coastal Carolina forced an out at third base, Hope Hernandez hit a hard ball to Chanticleer shortstop Alexis Alvino, but the ball skipped by the veteran allowing Lively to score and make it a 4-2 score.
Guillette shut down the Trojans over the final three innings of play as she gave up no runs, no hits, and struck out three batters.
The Oxford, Ct., native went the distance as she picked up her career-high 15th victory. Guillette added to her tournament-high second win as she allowed two runs, four hits, and had four strikeouts.
David continued her hot bat on Thursday afternoon as she went 1-for-3, a home run, and two RBI.
For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSB(twitter), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) and facebook.com/CCUChanticleers(Facebook) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com
Coastal Carolina will continue in the winners’ bracket as they take on one-seed Louisiana at 12 p.m. ET on Friday.
