TROY, Ala. – Coastal Carolina got a two-out, two run double in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game, 2-2, but Troy responded with a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth to take a 4-2 decision in the series opener Friday night at Riddle-Pace Field.
The 17th-ranked Chanticleers (24-12 overall, 10-3 Sun Belt) and Trojans (23-10, 8-5) will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 pm (CT)/2 pm (ET) as there is inclement weather in the forecast for Sunday.
Both teams had numerous chances throughout the game to break the game open as Troy left 13 runners on base and Coastal stranded 11.
In the decisive eighth inning, Coastal tied the game at 2-2. Parker Chavers drew a two-out walk and Keaton Weisz followed with a bloop single to shallow centerfield to put runners on the corners. Matt Beaird lined a 1-2 pitch down the right field line to score both Chavers and Weisz.
However, Troy responded with a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth to go up 4-2. Pinch hitter Jackson Cofer walked to start the home half and, after a sacrifice bunt, Matt Sanders had an infield single. On a strikeout, Sanders stole second. Joey Denison then singled through the left side of the infield to score both runners.
Troy grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Drew Frederic walked and Denison followed with a single through the right side of the infield. Brandon Lockridge then lined an RBI double down the third base line.
The Trojans took advantage of a CCU error to extend their lead to 2-0. Chase Smartt started the home half with a single and, two batters later, Manning Early walked. With one out, Jason Bilous looked to get out of the inning with a potential double play, but an error allowed Smartt to score.
CJ Carter (4-3) got the win in relief. He allowed two hits, two walks and two runs with five strikeouts in 3.1 innings. Coastal’s Davie Inman (0-2) suffered the loss as he allowed three hits and two runs in three innings.