Runnin' Bulldogs Fall To Coastal Carolina, 6-1, Saturday In Big South Tournament Title Game
May 28, 2011 | Baseball
LEXINGTON, Va. - Playing its sixth game in five days, No. 5
Gardner-Webb's exciting postseason run ended with a a 6-1 loss to
top-seeded Coastal Carolina in the Royal Purple Big South
Conference Baseball Championship Game Saturday.
Coastal Carolina (41-18) won its fifth tournament title in a row, establishing a new Big South record. The Chanticleers earned the league's automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Baseball Tournament in the process.
"It was a great run, by a team of great guys, who are blessed and proud to represent a great university," said Gardner-Webb head coach Rusty Stroupe. "God has blessed us in countless ways this season."
The Runnin' Bulldogs (34-23-1) had a chance to get on the board in the first, with singles from Benji Jackson and Jake Watts, but a 4-6-3 double play ended the inning and the Chanticleers jumped on top quickly in the bottom half of the inning. First baseman Rich Witten did the damage by himself, belting a fastball over the wall in left center for a solo home run and a one-run lead.
The Chants would strike again in the third to seize momentum, plating five runs to chase GWU starter Emilio Pagan from the game.
Back-to-back walks with one out started the third-inning rally, and a two-out, Tommy LaStella single to center pushed the Chants' lead to 4-0. Daniel Bowman followed with a two-run blast to left for a 5-0 cushion and, after another walk, Keith Hardwick drove in the sixth run of the game with a double to left before the 'Dogs could close out the inning.
Gardner-Webb's Aaron Miller broke up the shutout with two outs in the ninth, lining a single to right that scored Watts from second. Adam McFarland singled through the right side to keep the 'Dogs alive and Brad Collins singled through the left side to load the bases - but Chants' closer Josh Conway got a ground ball to end the game without further damage.
Coastal Carolina starter Jordan Coons got into a groove on the mound after allowing Gardner-Webb's pair of hits in the first, retiring 15 in a row until issuing a walk to Jackson with two outs in the sixth. Coons (5-3) worked 7.0 shutout innings for the win, allowing three hits, striking out one and walking one.
The Chanticleers had just six hits in the game, with Bowman (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) leading the way.
Pagan (4-4), working on just three days rest, took the loss, lasting 2.2 innings and allowing six runs on three hits with three walks (three strikeouts). Jeff Howell and Adam Izokovic came out of the pen to pitch 5.1 combined scoreless innings to keep the 'Dogs within striking distance.
Gardner-Webb out-hit the Chanticleers, collecting eight safties in the game, but left seven men on base. Miller (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Watts (2-for-4, run) each had two of those hits. Jackson (1-for-3), McFarland (1-for-4), Collins (1-for-4) and Zeke Blanton (1-for-3) also had hits Saturday for the 'Dogs.
The Runnin' Bulldogs were well represented on the All-Tournament Team, with Jake Watts, Aaron Miller, Adam McFarland and Brett Stackhouse earning spots. Coastal Carolina's Keith Hardwick was named MVP.
Watts led the tournament with 15 base hits, batting a tournament-best .577 for the event with eight runs scored and six RBI. Miller batted .381 a pair of doubles, four RBI and numerous game-changing defensive plays. McFarland had seven hits and batted .292 for the event and added an outfield assist. Stackhouse hurled a complete-game victory without allowing an earned run in Friday night's elimination game win over Liberty. Stackhouse made two appearances in the event overall, fanning 11 batters in 10.2 innings of work while allowing only five hits.
Gardner-Webb returns seven position starters and much of the offensive firepower for the 2012 season, as well as seven of the team's top nine pitchers.
Coastal Carolina (41-18) won its fifth tournament title in a row, establishing a new Big South record. The Chanticleers earned the league's automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Baseball Tournament in the process.
"It was a great run, by a team of great guys, who are blessed and proud to represent a great university," said Gardner-Webb head coach Rusty Stroupe. "God has blessed us in countless ways this season."
The Runnin' Bulldogs (34-23-1) had a chance to get on the board in the first, with singles from Benji Jackson and Jake Watts, but a 4-6-3 double play ended the inning and the Chanticleers jumped on top quickly in the bottom half of the inning. First baseman Rich Witten did the damage by himself, belting a fastball over the wall in left center for a solo home run and a one-run lead.
The Chants would strike again in the third to seize momentum, plating five runs to chase GWU starter Emilio Pagan from the game.
Back-to-back walks with one out started the third-inning rally, and a two-out, Tommy LaStella single to center pushed the Chants' lead to 4-0. Daniel Bowman followed with a two-run blast to left for a 5-0 cushion and, after another walk, Keith Hardwick drove in the sixth run of the game with a double to left before the 'Dogs could close out the inning.
Gardner-Webb's Aaron Miller broke up the shutout with two outs in the ninth, lining a single to right that scored Watts from second. Adam McFarland singled through the right side to keep the 'Dogs alive and Brad Collins singled through the left side to load the bases - but Chants' closer Josh Conway got a ground ball to end the game without further damage.
Coastal Carolina starter Jordan Coons got into a groove on the mound after allowing Gardner-Webb's pair of hits in the first, retiring 15 in a row until issuing a walk to Jackson with two outs in the sixth. Coons (5-3) worked 7.0 shutout innings for the win, allowing three hits, striking out one and walking one.
The Chanticleers had just six hits in the game, with Bowman (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) leading the way.
Pagan (4-4), working on just three days rest, took the loss, lasting 2.2 innings and allowing six runs on three hits with three walks (three strikeouts). Jeff Howell and Adam Izokovic came out of the pen to pitch 5.1 combined scoreless innings to keep the 'Dogs within striking distance.
Gardner-Webb out-hit the Chanticleers, collecting eight safties in the game, but left seven men on base. Miller (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Watts (2-for-4, run) each had two of those hits. Jackson (1-for-3), McFarland (1-for-4), Collins (1-for-4) and Zeke Blanton (1-for-3) also had hits Saturday for the 'Dogs.
The Runnin' Bulldogs were well represented on the All-Tournament Team, with Jake Watts, Aaron Miller, Adam McFarland and Brett Stackhouse earning spots. Coastal Carolina's Keith Hardwick was named MVP.
Watts led the tournament with 15 base hits, batting a tournament-best .577 for the event with eight runs scored and six RBI. Miller batted .381 a pair of doubles, four RBI and numerous game-changing defensive plays. McFarland had seven hits and batted .292 for the event and added an outfield assist. Stackhouse hurled a complete-game victory without allowing an earned run in Friday night's elimination game win over Liberty. Stackhouse made two appearances in the event overall, fanning 11 batters in 10.2 innings of work while allowing only five hits.
Gardner-Webb returns seven position starters and much of the offensive firepower for the 2012 season, as well as seven of the team's top nine pitchers.
| Box Score (PDF) |
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