Eagles Swept By Coastal

    CONWAY, SC – After clinching the Big South Regular Season Championship yesterday, Coastal Carolina continued its roll with a 3-0 victory over Winthrop Sunday afternoon at Watson Stadium. The Chanticleers have now won nine straight games, improving to 36-16 overall on the season, and finishing the conference slate 16-5, while the Eagles fall to 23-28 and 5-13. It was the first time Coastal has swept the season series over Winthrop since 1993.

    After the Chants manufactured a run in the first, Winthrop threatened to take control in the second, loading the bases with no outs. CCU starter Seamus Donovan worked his way out of the jam, though, striking out Kyle Roberson, and getting Josiah Glafenhein to bounce into a 1-2-3 double play. Donovan (5-3) gave up two more hits in the third inning, but took control from there, retiring 14 of the next 15 batters he faced, allowing just the three hits in 7.0 innings of work, with five strikeouts for the win.

    Coastal again used its team speed to force the issue on offense, stealing six bases on the day, as it manufactured another run in the second inning. Brandon Powell led off with a walk and swiped his first of three bags on the afternoon. He then advanced to third on a Texas leaguer, and scored as Winthrop pitcher Jeff Reeves tried to pick the runner off first base. Chad Felty then capped the scoring in the fifth inning, hitting a line drive over the left field wall for his seventh home run of the season.

    Justin Sturge pitched a perfect eighth inning for Coastal, and Adam Keim earned his fifth save of the season by retiring the side in the ninth. Reeves (2-4) took the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) and three hits in 4.0 innings of work, before giving way to Chris Carter who only allowed Felty's solo shot and three other hits in his 4.0 innings. Senior Justin Owens went 3-for-4 for Coastal to raise his average to .446 for the season.

    With its Conference season complete, Coastal will play a four-game set with Buffalo to conclude the regular season schedule, beginning Thursday, May 16, with a day/night doubleheader at 1:00 pm, and 7:00 pm. The Eagles return to action Tuesday, May 14, when they host Western Carolina, before finishing out their season next weekend, hosting Radford. The results of that series will determine Coastal's first-round opponent as the Big South Tournament begins Wednesday, May 22, in Rock Hill, S.C.