Chants Ninth-Inning Doubles Doom Radford

CONWAY, S.C. -- Tommy Baldridge hit a two-out, pinch-hit double to right field to lift the Coastal Carolina University baseball team (25-9, 7-2 Big South) to a 7-6 win over Radford University (8-22, 3-6 Big South) April 10 in Conway, S.C. Coastal took the series over the Highlanders 2-1. (Box Score)

Radford reliever Casey Hodges enduced fly outs by junior Michael DeJesus and Aaron Verrett to start the ninth, but Kevin Entsminger doubled down the left field line. Hodges intentionally walked pinch hitter DJ Burns, setting up Baldridge's heroics.

Radford scored first in the top of the third on a walk to Steve Mignogna and a double by Alan Ashworth. Coastal quickly answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Chris Todd walked to open the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice by Dom Duggan. Mike Costanzo and DeJesus walked to load the bases and Verrett came through with a two-out, two-run single. Chris Raber then hit a fly ball that scored two more runs.

Coastal made it 5-1 in the fourth when, with the bases loaded, senior Jon Foisy bunted to first base to score Todd.

Radford scored three in the top of the fifth. Nate Toth singled to open the inning and moved to second on a hit by pitch to Aaron Ranft. The Highlanders loaded the bases on a bunt single from Ben Toth. A groundout by Mignogna brought in Nate Toth and Ashworth brought in two more on a single to right center.

Coastal put up a run in the sixth to take a 6-4 lead. Todd singled, went to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a double from Duggan. Radford pitcher Josh Deaver intentionally walked Costanzo and Foisy scored Todd on a sacrifice fly. The Highlanders got out of the inning without further damage as DeJesus grounded into a double play.

Radford scored an unearned run in the seventh as Ben Toth reached on a throwing error and scored on another throwing miscue.

With Coastal up 6-5 heading into the ninth, Nate Toth singled to open the inning. After a sacrifice bunt, pinch hitter David Landman, doubled just over Adam Vrable's glove to plate Toth and tie the game. That run was the first earned run given up this season by Costanzo.

Costanzo improved to 5-1 on the season, giving up two hits and striking out one. Kevin Salmon started for the Chanticleers, going 4.1 innings with three strikeouts, five hits and four runs. The loss fell to Hodges, who gave up two hits and walked one in 1.2 innings. Justin Tubb walked seven and struck out four in four innings in the start for the Highlanders.

Raber went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Todd walked twice and had two hits. Ashworth went 3-for-4 and drove in four for Radford, while Nate Toth went 3-for-3.

Coastal hosts Campbell Tuesday, April 12, at 6 p.m., while Radford travels to James Madison April 12, at 3 p.m.