CLEARWATER, FLA- Junior Danyelle Gerdts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy) pitched seven outstanding innings of two-hit softball to lead Coastal Carolina's softball team (7-12) to its sixth straight win as the Chants topped Fordham 4-0 in eight inning on the second day of the USF-Spring Break Invitational on March 10.

The game was scoreless for the first seven innings, as Coastal's Gerdts and Fordham's starter junior Sara Kinney were locked in a pitching duel. The only hits through the first six frames was single up the middle by Coastal's junior Kimberly Cilis (Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia) in the second inning and a single up the middle by Fordham's sophomore Laura Klaiber in the fifth inning.

In the seventh inning the Rams threatened as junior first baseman Megan Hansen's one out single put a runner on first. Danyelle Gerdts would be up to the challenge as she retired the next two in order.

In the eighth junior Carla Hood (Marion, S.C./Marion) was placed on second base due to the international tie breaker rule to start the inning. Senior Irene Finley (Wilmington, N.C./John T. Hoggard) pinch ran for Hood and went to third on sacrifice bunt by Cillis. Cillis also reached base as the throw from Fordham pitcher pulled the first baseman off the bag. Senior Kelly Feely (Livermore, Calif/Granada) pinch hit for senior Katey Allen (Lewiston, Idaho/Lewiston (Albertson College)) and was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Sophomore Ashley Gerdts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy) drove in Finley with a sacrifice to right field. A single through the right side by Danyelle Gerdts drove in pinch runner Brittany Birnbaum (Chino Hills, Calif./Ayala) for the second run of the inning. Senior Sara Hostetler (Albuquerque, N.M./Valley) drove Allen, who had been reinserted into the game, and Danyelle Gerdts with a double to centerfield to give CCU a 4-0 leading to bottom of the eighth.

Senior Brittany Nelson (Flower Mound, Texas/Marcus) pitched a scoreless eighth inning to preserve the 4-0 victory.

Danyelle Gerdts (2-4) picked up her second win of the season and second in as many days, as she went seven innings only giving up two hits with four strikeouts.

Coastal Carolina will continues its play in the USF-Spring Break Invitational with a second game this afternoon, March 10 at 6 p.m. against Virginia Tech.