WILMINGTON, N.C. – Coastal Carolina scored one run in the top of the 13th, but UNC Wilmington catcher Ryan Jeffers answered with a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the 13th to lift the Seahawks to a 2-1 victory over the 16th-ranked Chanticleers Wednesday night at Brooks Field.

The 0-0 stalemate was broken in the top of the 13th. Cory Wood drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a Kieton Rivers sacrifice bunt. Seth Lancaster was intentionally walked to put runners on first and second. On a 2-2 pitch, Kevin Woodall Jr., checked his swing on a ball in the dirt, which allowed both Wood and Lancaster to move up third and second, respectively. On the next pitch, a 3-2 offering by UNCW closer Clark Cota, Woodall hit an RBI single past the drawn-in infield up the middle to bring home Wood. On the play, Lancaster was thrown out at home as he attempted to score from second.

In the home half of the 13th, the first two Seahawks struck out. Zack Canada kept UNCW alive with a two-out single to left field. Three pitches later, Jeffers hit his 11th home run of the season over the centerfield fence to provide the walk-off, 2-1 win.

The teams only combined for 12 hits, five by Coastal (26-13) and seven by UNCW (22-14). The win by the Seahawks, which only had two hits through nine innings, snaps a seven=game losing streak to the Chants.

UNCW had its best chance to break through in the seventh. Coastal loaded the bases with three walks with a strikeout. Jay Causey came out the bullpen, threw one pitch and induced an inning-ending double play.

In the eighth, the Seahawks had another opportunity to score. With two outs, Zack Canada lined a double to left-center field. Greg Jones tried to score from first base on the play, but was out at home as Parker Chavers hit Seth Lancaster, who relayed the ball to the plate for the final out.

Coastal had a chance in the top of the 11th. Lancaster drew a leadoff walk, stole second and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. However, Cota got a shallow fly out and ground out to escape.

Patrick Orlando (2-2) took the loss. He worked 3.2 innings and allowed five hits, two runs and one walk with five strikeouts. Zach McCambley got his first start of the season and pitched 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Dylan Gentry (1.2 innings), Davie Inman (0.1 inning) and Jay Causey (2,2) combined to pitch 4.2 scoreless innings in middle relief, combining to allow one hit and four walks with five strikeouts.

Luke Gesell (1-0) was credited with the win ad he recorded the final out of the top of the 13th.

Coastal Carolina will return home to host Georgia State for a three-game Sun Belt series. Game times are set for 6 pm Friday, 2 pm Saturday and 1 pm Sunday.

On Saturday, Coastal will host Military Appreciation Day. Among the many pregame activities include:

·         Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association on the Vrooman Field.

·         First pitch from Mr. Bill Biggs, owner and CEO of HMR Veteran Services (and the Chairman of the Board at CCU).

·         Black Daggers Demonstration team (6 people will parachute to Vrooman Field).