News Summary
The College of Charleston Cougars achieved a significant upset, clinching a 4-2 victory over the No. 21 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Key moments included Avery Neaves stealing home and Dariyan Pendergrass contributing two crucial RBIs. Despite a late rally from Coastal Carolina, the Cougars’ strong pitching and solid defense allowed them to maintain their lead. This win not only marks a season sweep over their rivals but also enhances Charleston’s standing in the league with a record of 23-16.
College of Charleston Upsets No. 21 Coastal Carolina in Thrilling 4-2 Showdown
In an exciting display of college baseball, the College of Charleston Cougars pulled off a remarkable upset against the No. 21 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, winning the game 4-2 at Patriots Point in gorgeous Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. This victory not only boosted the Cougars’ record to an impressive 23-16 but also marked a season sweep over their ranked rivals!
The evening started with palpable tension at the ballpark, as Coastal Carolina entered the game boasting a strong 30-10 overall record. But the Cougars were determined to make a statement, and they did just that with some clever base running by Avery Neaves, who stole home in the second inning to kickstart the scoring. It was an unexpected move that caught the Chanticleers off guard, and the crowd erupted in cheers!
Dariyan Pendergrass also played a crucial role in this memorable game, racking up two RBIs. His game contributions included an important RBI groundout in the fifth inning that added to Charleston’s lead. In the seventh inning, Pendergrass hit a timely single that brought home Alex LaCoste, extending Charleston’s lead to 3-0.
However, the Chanticleers were not ready to go down without a fight. In the top of the eighth inning, things began to heat up with a powerful two-run homer by Sebastian Alexander. This brought the score to a nail-biting 3-2, igniting hopes for a Coastal Carolina comeback.
Despite the Chanticleers’ resurgence, the Cougars held their ground. A pivotal moment came during the seventh inning when Matthew Dominianni took a bases-loaded walk, bringing in another run and stretching Charleston’s lead to 4-2. With the Cougars steady on their feet, the game progressed into its final stages.
On the pitching front, Charleston’s freshman sensation Drew Medley made waves in his first collegiate start, delivering an impressive 2.1 scoreless innings. He faced a tough lineup and managed to hold his own, supported by senior Garrick Murray, who added two scoreless innings in relief. Senior Davis Aiken stepped up to secure the six-out save, marking his eighth save of the season!
Overall, this game not only improved Charleston’s all-time record against Coastal Carolina to 28-27, but also positioned them strongly at 18-8 when playing at home. For Coach Chad Holbrook, this victory was his seventh ranked win with Charleston, three of which came at the expense of Coastal Carolina, proving the Cougars know how to handle the heat!
The Cougars also displayed their resilience with a notable 216-12 record under Holbrook whenever leading after the eighth inning. Their performance on Tuesdays has been particularly impressive, boasting a 6-2 record so far this season.
Although Coastal Carolina outhit the Cougars 12-8, led by the remarkable performances of Domenico Tozzi (3-for-4) and Dean Mihos (3-for-5), their efforts were hampered by mistakes. The Chanticleers hit into a double play in the ninth inning and faced two unfortunate cut-downs stealing, leaving them regretting missed opportunities.
As the Chanticleers gear up for a critical three-game series at James Madison starting this weekend, they will look to shake off this defeat. Meanwhile, Charleston celebrates a well-earned victory, solidifying their reputation and showing that they can compete with the best in the league!
With the season heating up, fans of both teams will be eagerly anticipating what’s next. Who will rise to the occasion in the coming matches? Only time will tell!
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Additional Resources
- Live 5 News: Cougs Beat No. 21 Coastal Carolina
- Wikipedia: College of Charleston
- WMBF News: Coastal Baseball Falls 4-2 to College of Charleston
- Google Search: Charleston baseball
- Post and Courier: College of Charleston vs. The Citadel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- Dartmouth Sports: Series Finale at College of Charleston
- Google News: Coastal Carolina baseball
