Coastal Carolina used a six-run third inning to erase a two-run PC lead and take the eventual 11-2 win over the Presbyterian College softball team in the series finale this afternoon at the PC Softball Complex in Clinton, S.C.
PC falls to 8-18 overall and 0-3 in the Big South while Coastal Carolina improves to 26-9, 3-0.
The Blue Hose put two on the board in the bottom of the second when Morgan Durham knocked out her third home run of the season, with a two-run shot over the left field wall that brought in Rachel Hopper who had singled to left the previous at-bat.
The top of the third looked as though it would be a three-and-done for the Chanticleers, but a PC error with two outs prolonged the inning. The Chanticleers capitalized with a single the next at-bat. Another PC error put runners on first and second when Kory Hayden cam up and hit a three-run home run to left to make it 3-2 in favor of CCU.
A hit-by-pitch and a base hit up the middle gave the Chanticleers two more base runners and Sara Rasley brought them home with a home run to center field that made it a 6-2 game.
Coastal Carolina opened the fourth inning with a single by Chelsea Pineda, who came home when Hayden collected her second hit of the game with a RBI double to right center. The next batter walked and came home with another CCU home run, this one by Cacia Pierre that gave the Chanticleers the 10-2 lead after four innings of play.
In the top of the fifth Desiree Zaragoza came into pitch hit and on the first pitch of her first at-bat of the season, hit a home run over the centerfield wall as Coastal Carolina took the 11-2 lead and eventual win after five innings.
Durham led the PC effort, going one-for-two with two RBI. Hopper was two-for-two with one run scored.
Leslie Hensley started and pitched 2.2 innings for the loss (5-10). She surrendered six unearned runs off five hits. Kiana Quolas earned the win (14-4) for Coastal Carolina, throwing 5.0 innings and scattering three hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts.
The Blue Hose are next in action Wedensday, Mar. 28 at 3 p.m. as PC hosts Gardner Webb in a single game at the PC Softball Complex.
Coastal Carolina 11, Presbyterian College 2 (Mar 25, 2012 at Clinton, S.C.)
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Coastal Carolina.... 006 41 - 11 9 0 (26-9, 3-0 BSC)
Presbyterian College 020 00 - 2 3 3 (8-18, 0-3 BSC)
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Pitchers: Coastal Carolina - QUOLAS, Kiana and PINEDA, Chelsea. Presbyterian College -
Hensley, Leslie; Loudermelk, Kensley(3) and Marshall, Jennifer; Taylor, Erin.
Win-QUOLAS, Kiana(14-4) Loss-Hensley, Leslie(5-10) T-1:24 A-104
HR COASTAL - HAYDEN, Kory; PIERRE, Cacia; RASLEY, Sara; ZARAGOZA, Desiree.
HR PC - Durham, Morgan (3).
Weather: partly cloudy, 70s
