MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – College of Charleston used doubles from Bradley Jones and Clay Hunt to squeak past No. 21 Coastal Carolina on Tuesday at Patriots Point.
The Cougars (14-7) got three hits in the first inning, including a 2-RBI double by Jones to take an early lead. CofC, however, could only produce one more hit – a single from Jake Maziar in the fourth – until Hunt doubled home two runs in the seventh.
Eric Bauer earned his second victory of the season pitching five scoreless innings allowing five hits and striking out six. Justin Baker tossed two innings in relief striking out four. Carter Love pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his sixth save.
MOMENT THAT MATTERED
Carter Love suffered the first defeat of his career in his last outing on Saturday against VCU, but bounced back in a big way on Tuesday retiring Coastal Carolina (13-9) on 17 pitches including one strikeout.
TURNING POINT
With the Cougars clinging to a 2-1 lead in the seventh, Clay Hunt stepped in with runners on first and second and one out. The freshman lined a double over the right fielder's head to cushion the Cougars lead. The runs proven even more important in the next inning when the Chanticleers scored a run and loaded the bases before Will Detwiler entered to slam the door.
HEAD COACH MATT HEATH
“I thought (Eric) Bauer was great tonight and Carter (Love) was back in form. We need to see more production offensively, fortunately we got enough tonight to win.”
NOTEWORTHY
> Carter Love ranks in the top 10 in the NCAA with six saves.
> Clay Hunt picked up the first extra-base hit of his career with a double in the seventh inning.
> Morgan Phillips reached base twice – once on a single and again on a walk – to extend his reached base streak to 14 games.
> Current CofC pitchers are 40-12 at Patriots Point combined in their careers.
College of Charleston opens Colonial Athletic Association play on Friday as it hosts Delaware for a three-game series.
For more information on College of Charleston baseball, visit CofCSports.com or follow the team on Twitter at @CofCBaseball.
