CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern split vs. Coastal Carolina at Buccaneer Field on Wednesday, to win the first conference series 2-1. The Bucs had five unanswered runs in game one for a 5-2 final score, before dropping a 4-3 contest in game two. With the split, CSU moves to 16-18 on the year with a 2-1 mark in the Big South while CCU sits at a 10-20 record and 1-2 in the conference.
Megan Hall and Amy Trenkamp both had three hits, two runs scored, and an RBI for the doubleheader. Gail Matsushima and Brittany Giannini both had two extra base hits and RBIs recorded. Brittany York also chipped in with a two RBI hit.
The Bucs got things working early on, thanks to a walk and stolen base from Trenkamp in game one. Matsushima lit up the scoreboard first, after an RBI triple was roped to left center. CSU couldn’t continue with the two out rally, but the damage was done with a 1-0 first.
Another triple put Trenkamp on base for the second consecutive time, starting off a big bottom of the third. The hitting ended up being contagious, as two more would have RBI hits. Hall had an RBI single before Matsushima was intentionally walked. The Bucs were able to take advantage thanks to a York single that sent home two.
CSU added one more run to push it out to a 5-0 advantage in the fourth, behind a lead-off double from Giannini. Trenkamp got credit for the RBI after a pair of groundouts advanced the runner home.
Sondra Vetter had the starting nod in the circle, and pitched four scoreless innings to start the game, including six strikeouts. The Bucs got into some trouble in the fifth, but Vetter got out of it, allowing just one run after four hits, while stranding three stranded on base.
The Chanticleers tallied one more run, but it would be their last with Vetter settling in. CSU held on to the lead and cruised to a 5-2 final score after a pair of strikeouts to end the game. Vetter ended the game with nine total strikeouts for the game one victory
Game One Box
Game two had both pitchers working well under less than desirable weather conditions. Jamie Wellons put in work in the circle for game two, starting off with two strikeouts en route to three scoreless innings. CCU managed their first lead of the day after one run in the fourth.
CSU came right back however, to post a run of their own. Lisa Rice had a lead-off single to start, before Melissa Adams would pinch run. With two outs, Giannini put it in play and Adams took advantage of a Chanticleer error to score.
A 1-1 tie after four complete innings led to three more runs for CCU. Coastal used the three run shot in the fifth to open up the game.
The Bucs made their bid at a comeback, posting a run in each of the final two innings. A lead off walk for Wellons in the sixth would eventually score thanks to a Giannini double. Hall got things started in the bottom of the seventh with a single, before Matsushima doubled to score another run. CSU had the tying and winning run on base with no outs, but couldn’t muster anymore runs, as the Chanticleers held on for the 4-3 win.
Game Two Box
The Bucs will stay at home for another conference series, hosting three games with Presbyterian on Friady and Saturday.