Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Coastal Carolina
Baseball Falls To No. 26 Coastal Carolina, 4-2
2/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 29, 2008
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Marshall University junior left-hander Andrew Blain threw six strong innings for the Herd, but no. 26 Coastal Carolina fought off a ninth-inning rally to give the Chanticleers a 4-2 victory in Friday afternoon's non-conference baseball game at BB&T Field.
With the loss, Marshall falls to 2-3 overall, while Coastal Carolina improves to 5-1 on the year.
Down 4-1 in the top of the ninth, junior center fielder Nate Lape scored on a two-out base RBI single by freshman designated hitter Victor Gomez, but the late rally fell short as Coastal was able to pick up a hard-fought victory.
Coastal Carolina took a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning when junior first baseman David Anderson scored on an RBI single by redshirt junior catcher Dock Doyle. Doyle then scored on a Marshall passed ball. The Chanticleers broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-out rally when sophomore left fielder Adam Rice (who reached on a fielder's choice and stole second base) scored on a single by sophomore designated hitter Jose Iglesias.
Coastal junior right-hander Bobby Gagg earned his second victory of the season allowing just one run in seven innings of work. Sophomore right-handed reliever Nick McCully picked up the save.
After four and a half scoreless innings, Coastal pushed across a run in the bottom of the fifth inning when junior shortstop Tyler Bortnick (reached on a double and advanced to third on a single) scored on a passed ball. Coastal then received its third consecutive base hit of the inning, followed by a walk to load the bases, before freshman second baseman Kenny Socorro and junior shortstop Adam Yeager turned a clutch double-play to end the inning and come away with just a 1-0 deficit.
Marshall responded in the top of the sixth inning when Yeager singled and then advanced to third on a single by junior third baseman Brandon Casamassima, setting up runners at the corners with no outs. Senior left fielder Jeff Rowley then collected an RBI on a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Yeager to knot the game at 1. Lape drew a walk, but Coastal forced the inning-ending double-play before the Herd could score another run.
Freshman right-handed reliever Ian Kadish came on in the bottom of the seventh and retired the Chanticleer lineup in order.
Blain left after six innings, struck out three batters and allowed just two runs while scattering seven hits and falls to 1-1 on the season.
Trailing 2-1, the Herd threatened when Yeager singled, advanced to second on a passed ball, and reached third on an error. Coastal junior right handed relief pitcher forced the fifth inning-ending double-play of the game.
Yeager, Gomez and sophomore first baseman Josh Valle each had a pair of hits in the losing effort.
Marshall returns to Bash at the Beach action Saturday, when they face West Virginia for the first time in 10 years. Game-time is set for 12:00 p.m. at BB&T Coastal Field. Sophomore right-hander Dan Straily will take the hill for the Herd.
