WILMINGTON – Kevin Woodall’s two-run double broke a one-all deadlock in the top of the eighth inning as nationally-ranked Coastal Carolina edged UNCW, 4-1, on Wednesday at Brooks Field.
Coastal Carolina evened its record at 5-5 with the non-conference road win. UNCW, meanwhile, fell to 3-4 with its fourth consecutive loss.
Mason Berne drove in Robbie Thorburn in the bottom of the first to give the Seahawks an early 1-0 lead, but UNCW struggled at the plate after the two-out RBI double. The Seahawks were 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position. With 14 strikeouts tonight, UNCW has struck out at least nine times in each of its last five games and left a season-high 15 runners on base. UNCW never had a runner on third with less than two outs.
Seth Lancaster had two hits for the Chanticleers, including a double to lead off the seventh inning. A sacrifice fly by Matt Beaird tied the game at one to set up the decisive eighth inning rally. Cory Wood hit a single to right and stole second to opening the frame. Two batters later, Peyton Isaacson drew a walk and also stole second. Woodall doubled in both runners with a line drive to the right center field gap for a 3-1 lead.
Brian Mims, Robbie Thoburn and Nick Feight each had two hits for the Seahawks., but UNCW left a season-high 15 runners on base. UNCW junior reliever Austin Magestro was saddled with the loss to drop to 0-2 on the season.
Reliever Bobby Holmes (1-1) picked up the win for the Chanticleers. Austin Kitchen earned his second save.
The Seahawks continue their nine-game homestand this weekend with three games against Florida Gulf Coast. The series opens Friday with a 4 p.m. start.
