Box Score High Point issued a season high 16 walks losing the first game of the Big South series to #14 Coastal Carolina 18-3 Friday night at Williard Stadium.
Coastal Carolina put the game out of reach early, scoring the game's first 10 runs of the contest, seven of which came in the first inning. Rico Noel led off the game with a solo homerun to leftfield. Adam Rice reached on a bunt single and tried to get to second on a wild pitch, but was thrown out by Billy Alvino. The next two batters walked before RJ Chlebnikow struck out Daniel Bowman for the second out of the inning. Another walk loaded the bases before Dustin King singled in a run, making it a 2-0 Chanticleer advantage. Taylor Motter reached on a fielding error on the next play extended the inning, allowing another run to score. Two singles and a double brought in the next four runs, for a 7-0 CCU lead after one.
Bowman hit a three-run homerun in the third inning giving the visitors a 10-0 lead heading into the bottom of the inning
High Point got on the board in the bottom half of the inning, posting a pair of runs. Jeff Cowan was hit by a pitch to start and Bill Manion hit a one-out single. Alvino worked back from a 0-2 count to draw a walk, loading the bases. Kyle Mahoney also walked bringing in the Panthers first run. Max Fulginiti reached on a fielder's choice forcing out Mahoney at second, but allowed Manion to cross the plate.
Bowman again hurt HPU hitting a two-run single in the fifth inning. An inning later David Anderson fought of a tough 3-2 pitch fisting it into centerfield for two more runs making it 14-2 Coastal.
Eric Marion singled to start the bottom of the sixth inning for the Panthers, moving up to second on a wild pitch. Two straight groundouts allowed him to cross home plate.
The Chanticleers would score the final four runs of the game.
Manion and Marion led the offense with two hits apiece. Fulginiti extended his hitting streak to 23 games and Cowan upped his hitting streak to 10-games. Wheeler and Alvino both drew a pair of walks.
Coastal had six different players' pick-up multi-hits led by Bowman (two hits, 5 RBI) and Noel (two hits, 4 RBI). Cody Wheeler improves to 7-0 on the season working six innings allowing three runs on seven hits. He issued four walks and struck out four.
The two sides will continue the series tomorrow night, April 18th at Williard Stadium. It will also be "Bark in the Park" night, allowing fans to bring their fans to the ballpark. First pitch is set for a 6:00 p.m.
