Coastal Shutout Snaps Radford Streak

RADFORD, Va.--Coastal Carolina scored 12 runs on 15 hits to snap Radford’s six-game winning streak with a 12-0 shutout of the Highlanders in Big South Conference baseball action Friday afternoon at Dedmon Center Park. (Box Score)

Chanticleer starter Steven Carter (6-1) threw eight innings allowing just three hits while striking out nine batters. He didn’t allow a run or a walk to earn the win, his sixth of the year. Zach Baldwin closed out the game for CCU, throwing one inning, allowing no hits and no runs, while walking one and striking out one.

Justin Tubb took the loss for RU, throwing 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on four hits. He walked six batters and struck out four. Robby Bursey threw 1 1/3 innings in relief of Tubb, allowing four hits and three runs. Both Mark Robertson and Casey Hodges tossed one complete inning to end the game for RU, with Robertson allowing one run on two hits and Hodges giving up four runs on five hits.

Second baseman Alan Ashworth had two of the Highlanders’ three hits, posting a 2-for-4 performance to lead Radford. First baseman Mark Fleisher also had a hit.

Coastal Carolina scored its first two runs in the top of the third when left fielder Chris Raber punched a two-RBI single into right, scoring shortstop Brett Grandstrand and second baseman Michael DeJesus. The Chants added another two runs in the top of the sixth catcher Chad Oxendine single through the left side, scoring Third baseman Jason Krohn and designated hitter Mike Costanzo to give Coastal a 4-0 lead.

CCU would add another run in the seventh on a RBI single to right by first baseman Brett Gordon that scored Raber. Oxendine led off the three-run eighth with a home run to left field to give CCU another run. Ryan McGraw then tripled and Grandstrand singled, scoring McGraw. A single by third baseman Derek Martin scored Grandstrand. Coastal would complete its scoring run in the top of the ninth, when singles by DeJesus, pinch hitter Adam Pernasilici, Raber and Gordon scored pinch hitter Josh Eachues, DeJesus, Grandstrand and Pernasilici.

McGraw, Grandstrand, Raber, Gordon and Oxendine each had two hits to lead Coastal. Raber and Oxendine each tallied three RBI.

The two teams will return to action Saturday for game two of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 1:00 pm.