CONWAY, S.C. – Georgia Southern fell behind early and could not catch up to No.17 Coastal Carolina, as they dropped a 6-2 decision in the finale of the Myrtle Beach Hyundai Isuzu Classic. The host Chanticleers (15-3 overall) swept through the weekend while the Eagles won 2-of-3.
Missed opportunities throughout the game cost the Eagles (13-8 overall). Georgia Southern threatened in the second inning but came away empty.
Coastal started the scoring when Derek Martin hit an RBI double and eventually scored on a groundout by Tyler Bortnick.
Later in the fourth, Bortnick ripped an RBI double to the centerfield wall that extended the Chanticleers’ lead to 3-1.
For GSU, Economos lined a leadoff double in the sixth inning. He advanced to third on a wild pitch then scored on Shehan’s single up the middle cutting the deficit to 3-2. That RBI single chased the starter Mariotti.
With runners on the corners in the sixth, Martin dropped down a safety bunt and relief pitcher Aaron Eubanks made a throw home but the umpire ruled that
Baldridge slid around Benedict’s tag for a 4-2 lead. An intentional walk loaded the bases.
Kyle Kamppi entered the game in relief and got GSU out of the inning.
Dom Duggan hammered a solo shot to start the seventh and Pinch-hitter Dock Doyle lined a RBI single off Blake Nation for the final margin.
“We had too many missed opportunities early on,” said Eagle coach Rodney Hennon. “When you play a caliber of team like Coastal you have to take advantage of those situations. Credit Coastal, they did a good job of doing just that. We have another big game Wednesday (at Clemson), so we need to regroup and get ready for another tough challenge.”
Shehan accounted for both RBI, increasing his team-lead to 28. Miller had two of the team’s eight hits. Murray (2-3) gave up four runs on six hits in 5.1 innings. He walked three and struck out three.
Mariotti improved to 2-0, allowing two runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out five. Kent Altman scattered two hits in four innings, earning his first save. Baldridge led the Chanticleers with three hits.
Georgia Southern returns to action Wednesday night (March 14), traveling to No. 6 Clemson. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
Missed opportunities throughout the game cost the Eagles (13-8 overall). Georgia Southern threatened in the second inning but came away empty.
Coastal started the scoring when Derek Martin hit an RBI double and eventually scored on a groundout by Tyler Bortnick.
Later in the fourth, Bortnick ripped an RBI double to the centerfield wall that extended the Chanticleers’ lead to 3-1.
For GSU, Economos lined a leadoff double in the sixth inning. He advanced to third on a wild pitch then scored on Shehan’s single up the middle cutting the deficit to 3-2. That RBI single chased the starter Mariotti.
With runners on the corners in the sixth, Martin dropped down a safety bunt and relief pitcher Aaron Eubanks made a throw home but the umpire ruled that
Baldridge slid around Benedict’s tag for a 4-2 lead. An intentional walk loaded the bases.
Kyle Kamppi entered the game in relief and got GSU out of the inning.
Dom Duggan hammered a solo shot to start the seventh and Pinch-hitter Dock Doyle lined a RBI single off Blake Nation for the final margin.
“We had too many missed opportunities early on,” said Eagle coach Rodney Hennon. “When you play a caliber of team like Coastal you have to take advantage of those situations. Credit Coastal, they did a good job of doing just that. We have another big game Wednesday (at Clemson), so we need to regroup and get ready for another tough challenge.”
Shehan accounted for both RBI, increasing his team-lead to 28. Miller had two of the team’s eight hits. Murray (2-3) gave up four runs on six hits in 5.1 innings. He walked three and struck out three.
Mariotti improved to 2-0, allowing two runs on six hits. He walked two and struck out five. Kent Altman scattered two hits in four innings, earning his first save. Baldridge led the Chanticleers with three hits.
Georgia Southern returns to action Wednesday night (March 14), traveling to No. 6 Clemson. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
