CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina softball team battled back from an early three-run deficit to knock off ACC foe Syracuse 5-4 in the season opener at the Kickin' Chicken Classic at St. John Stadium on Friday night.
The Orange immediately put the Chants under pressure in the top of the first inning, when they loaded the bases on a passed ball, single, and a walk. However, CCU's starting pitcher, Raelee Brabham, kept her cool to strike out the final batter of the frame to keep the score 0-0.
Syracuse's bats came alive in the top of the second inning when Taylor Posner and Makenzie Foster each smashed singles to get on first and second base. Angel Jasso then stepped up to the plate and belted a three-run home run over center field to give the Orange a 3-0 lead.
The Chants answered in the bottom of the inning as Delaney Keith doubled home Clara Hudgens and Indya Smith to trim the deficit to one. Riley Zana followed with an RBI double of her own to tie the score at 3-3.
The Orange reclaimed the lead in the top of the third inning, putting two runners and scoring position and plating the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. Coastal responded once more in the bottom of the fourth as Keith singled and Iyanla De Jesus blasted a two-run home run to give the Chanticleers a 5-4 lead.
Relief pitcher Nicolette Picone took over from there, retiring six consecutive batters to hold Coastal's lead heading to the top of the seventh inning. Syracuse threatened after a hit by pitch, an error, and a passed ball put the tying run on third with one out. However, Picone made a throw to the plate to cut down the potential game-tying run and induced a ground ball to short to seal the win for the Chanticleers.
Brabham (1-0) earned the victory in the circle for the Chants, while Picone picked up the save after tossing three hitless innings of relief with one strikeout. Britney Lewinski (0-1) took the loss for the Orange, allowing three hits and two runs in 2.1 innings of work.
Coastal is back in action Saturday, facing George Washington at 3:30 p.m. and Bucknell at 6:00 p.m.
For complete coverage of CCU softball, follow the Chanticleers on social media at @CoastalSoftball (Twitter), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), and facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.
