CONWAY, S.C. - Coastal Carolina’s softball team (1-8) dropped both its games on the second day of the Myrtle Beach Chevrolet/CCU Softball Classic. In its first game of the morning, the Lady Chanticleers dropped a 8-5 decision to Pittsburgh (2-6). Then CCU in a five inning rain shortened game fell to Virginia Tech (9-0) 4-0 in its second game of the day on Saturday, Feb. 25.

The Panthers took the early lead in the first game, as sophomore Jessica Dignon's RBI singled down the left field line brought in the first Pittsburgh run in the opening inning.

Pitt added a five spot to its lead in the second, keyed by a two-run scoring single from senior Jessica Thomas to take a commanding 6-0 lead into the bottom of the frame.

The Lady Chants broke through for a run in the fourth as sophomore Allison Cantrell (McDonough, Ga./Eagle's Landing) singled and came into score on an RBI single from senior Meagen Johnson (Georgetown, S.C./Georgetown (Furman)) that cut the deficit to 6-1.

The Panthers countered in the fifth, as a two RBI single from junior Joey Scarf gave Pittsburgh a 8-1 lead heading to the last of the fifth.

CCU exploded for four runs in the fifth. Junior Kristina Sheppard (Galveston, Texas/Ball) blasted a home run to left center field to begin the inning. Junior Kimberly Cillis (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia) followed with a walk. After freshman Brittany Birnbaum (Chino Hills, Calif./Ayala) pinch ran for Cillis, sophomore Ashley Gerdts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy) followed with single through the left side to put runners on first and second. Junior Danyelle Gerdts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy) followed with a two RBI triple to right center. Danyelle Gerdts came in to score from third on misrelay throw from the Pittsburgh's second baseman into the CCU dugout. The Lady Chants had new life and were now only down 8-5 with two innings to play.

But Pittsburgh's junior relief pitcher Meghan Bostick came in and threw two scoreless innings from the bullpen to shut the door and save the win for the Panthers.

The second game, in rain soaked conditions, was all Virginia Tech. The Hokies plated single runs in the second and fourth inning and two in the third inning to win 4-0 in five rain shortened innings.

The loser for CCU in the first game was Johnson who dropped to 0-2 on the year. The game two loser for the Lady Chants was Danyelle Gerdts who fell to 0-3 this season.

The Lady Chanticleers game tomorrow, Feb. 26 against Virginia Tech has been cancelled, so the next game for CCU will be next weekend, Mar. 3, at the Crimson Classic against Drake at 11 a.m.