The Presbyterian College softball team came up short in its 2012 Big South debut, dropping two to Coastal Carolina by scores of 5-0 and 8-2 in action this afternoon at the PC Softball Complex in Clinton, S.C.
The Blue Hose fell to 8-17 overall and 0-2 in the league, while the Chanticleers improved to 25-9, 2-0.
Leading the Blue Hose offense was Erin Taylor, who hit her second home run of the season, this one a two RBI shot over the left field wall that cut the Coastal Carolina lead to three in the fourth inning.
Leslie Hensley picked up the loss (5-9) in the first game, going 7.0 innings with four earned runs, eight hits and two strikeouts. Kensley Loudermelk (3-4) went the distance in the second game as she struck out five and surrendered six earned runs off 11 hits for the loss.
PC recorded eight hits in the first game but couldn't bring them home, stranding eight runners en route to the 5-0 loss.
The Chanticleers struck with two in the third, one in the fourth and two more in the fifth inning. The lone run in the fourth came off a solo home run to left field by Sara Rasley.
CCU led off the third with a base hit and after a PC error put another runner on, the next two batters knocked in RBI base hits as the Chanticleers went up 2-0. The fifth inning started with a single by Beth Kassuhn, who advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt. Brooke Donovan doubled to left to drive in Kassuhn and Kiana Quolas singled in Donovan the next at-bat with a single up the middle to give the Chanticleers the 5-0 lead and eventual win.
The Chanticleers posted four runs in the third inning of the second game after recording five straight hits which brought in two runs. Two batters later Jessie Winans singled through the right side to plate two more.
After Coastal Carolina scored a run in the top of the fifth Taylor made it a 5-2 game with her home run.
It would be the last play for awhile as both teams were called off the field for lightning. The game would resume 76 minutes later.
CCU led off the sixth with Tamara Hawkins reaching base on a PC error. She scored three batters later when Donovan singled her in. Sarah Maples, who had reached on a walk, scored the seventh run off a PC fielding error the next play.
A home run by Winans in the seventh inning would help seal CCU's 8-2 win as the Blue Hose went down in order the bottom of the seventh.
The series finale against the Chanticleers will be Sunday at 1 p.m. It will be streamed live over the internet, weather permitting, at www.BigSouthSports.com as part of the Big South Network sponsored by State Farm. Fans can sign up and watch for a nominal fee.
Coastal Carolina 5, Presbyterian College 0 (Mar 24, 2012 at Clinton, S.C.) (Game 1)
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Coastal Carolina.... 002 120 0 - 5 8 0 (24-9, 1-0 BSC)
Presbyterian College 000 000 0 - 0 6 2 (8-16, 0-1 BSC)
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Pitchers: Coastal Carolina - QUOLAS, Kiana and PIERRE, Cacia. Presbyterian College -
Hensley, Leslie and Marshall, Jennifer.
Win-QUOLAS, Kiana(13-4) Loss-Hensley, Leslie(5-8) T-1:45 A-114
HR COASTAL - RASLEY, Sara (3).
Weather: Mid-80s, clear and bright
Coastal Carolina 8, Presbyterian College 2 (Mar 24, 2012 at Clinton, S.C.) (Game 2)
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Coastal Carolina.... 004 102 1 - 8 11 0 (25-9, 2-0 BSC)
Presbyterian College 000 200 0 - 2 3 2 (8-17, 0-2 BSC)
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Pitchers: Coastal Carolina - BAGWELL, Ashley and PIERRE, Cacia. Presbyterian College -
Loudermelk, Kensley and Taylor, Erin.
Win-BAGWELL, Ashley(7-4) Loss-Loudermelk, Kensley(3-3) T-1:48 A-114
HR COASTAL - WINANS, Jessie.
HR PC - Taylor, Erin.
Weather: Mid-80s, clear and bright
