Softball ends Chanticleer showdown with wins over Oakland, Yale

CONWAY, SC (CCU Athletics) - The Coastal Carolina softball team continued its winning ways on the final day of the Chanticleer Showdown, defeating Oakland 10-2 and Yale 1-0 on Sunday at St. John Stadium.

The Chanticleers (12-6) are now 11-2 at home and have won seven of their last eight contests.

Facing Oakland for the third time this weekend, the Chants opened the scoring in the first inning when Indya Smith blasted a two-out triple and scored on an infield single by Iyanla De Jesus. Coastal extended its lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second when Brie Normandin laced a two-run single and came around to score on Delaney Keith’s sacrifice fly.

Oakland cut the lead in half with two runs in the top of the fourth, but CCU responded with more two-out magic in the bottom of the inning. Clara Hudgens tripled and scored on a Keith single to make the score 5-2. After Keith stole second, Riley Zana brought her home with an RBI single to push Coastal’s advantage to 6-2.

Coastal Carolina closed the game with a power surge as Libby Pippin homered in the bottom of the fifth to give the Chants a 7-2 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Hope McDonald walked and Lucy Goodwin delivered a pinch-hit home run to make it a 9-2 game. Georgia Hood ended the game in the next at-bat, launching her own solo shot to give the Chants a 10-2 victory.

Raelee Brabham (8-2) went the distance in the circle for Coastal, allowing one earned run on five hits with seven strikeouts and zero walks.

Coastal’s two triples marked the Chants’ first game with two in a single game since Feb. 22, 2019, against Pitt.

Against Yale, Pippin’s second home run of the day broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth, putting Coastal ahead 1-0. The Chants held on for their second 1-0 win of the weekend and their sixth shutout victory of the season.

Abby Henderson (2-0) earned the win, scattering four hits across 4.0 innings with one strikeout and one walk. Nicolette Picone threw 3.0 shutout innings of relief, striking out three while allowing two hits, to earn her fourth save of the season. The save was the 12th of her career, making her Coastal’s career saves leader.

Coastal Carolina will hit the road on Wednesday as the Chants visit UNC Wilmington for a 2 p.m. contest.