CONWAY – Coastal Carolina freshman Zach McCambley got his second start of the week – as well as the second of his young career – and pitched five scoreless innings to lead the 16th-ranked Chanticleers to a 3-1 victory over Georgia State Sunday afternoon at Springs Brooks Stadium.
Coastal Carolina improves to 28-14 overall, 14-4 in the Sun Belt, while winning its 10th straight Sun Belt Conference series – including all six this season. The Panthers drop to 18-19, 6-11.
First, McCambley pitched 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing one hit, at UNC Wilmington, a game CCU lost 2-1 in 13 innings. Today, versus Georgia State, McCambley worked 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks, with career-high six strikeouts to improve to 2-0. Thanks to his 9.1 scoreless innings over his last two outings, McCambley’s ERA has dropped from 6.75 to 4.26.
Coastal took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Kevin Woodall Jr., was hit by a pitch. Zach Biermann followed with single. Kyle Skeels then hit an RBI single back up the middle, scoring Woodall and advancing Biermann to third. Lee Sponseller made it three straight hits with his RBI single through the right side of the infield.
The Chants got a much-needed insurance run in the sixth. Biermann drew a leadoff walk and, after stealing second, scored on a two-out, pinch hit single by Turner Buis for a 3-0 cushion. Buis is now 3-for-7 with three RBI as a pinch hitter this season.
Georgia State made it interesting in the ninth. The Panthers loaded the bases on a single and two walks. Shaddon Peavyhouse responded by getting a strikeout and a ground out. The ground out forced in a run and left Panthers on second and third with two outs. Peavyhouse then induced a slow roller back to the mound for the third and final out for his second save of the season.
Davie Inman and Jay Causey bridged the gap to Peavyhouse in the ninth. Inman pitched two scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out three. Causey, who entered with a runner on in the eighth, got a double play and line out in his inning of work.
Coastal Carolina will hit the road to face nationally-ranked North Carolina this Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6 pm at Boshamer Stadium and the game will be telecast on ESPNU.
