Gavin Stupienski collected three hits and UNCW’s bullpen allowed just one run, but Coastal Carolina struck early in the ball game to hand the Seahawks a 4-1 setback at Springs Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina on Tuesday.
The nationally ranked Chanticleers (37-15) earned its 25th home win of the season and complete a sweep of the home-and-home series with the Seahawks. UNCW dropped its third straight and fell to 35-14.
Starter Zack Hopeck (2-2) rolled through the Seahawks to even his record on the season. The right-hander held UNCW to two singles and did not walk a batter, while fanning five over six innings. G.K. Young led CCU at the plate with two hits, including his team-leading 15th homer of the season.
Whitman Barnes (2-1) took the loss for the Seahawks. Barnes surrendered three runs, two earned, on four hits and a walk over two innings.
Coastal Carolina jumped on Barnes for three runs-two earned-in the bottom of the second for a 3-0 lead. Young homered to open the inning, with a sacrifice fly and RBI single later in the frame to take an early cushion.
Four UNCW relievers (Austin Easter, Brandon Mulier, Alex Groff and Gunner Deal) combined for six innings of one-hit, one-run relief.
Stupienski had three of UNCW’s five hits on the night.
The Seahawks close out the regular season with a three-game series at Delaware. The series opener begins on Thursday with a 3 p.m. start. The Seahawks need a combination of UNCW wins and William & Mary losses equaling two to clinch the Colonial Athletic Association’s regular season title.
