Coastal Carolina baseball opens College World Series with win

OMAHA, Neb. (WMBF) - Coastal Carolina baseball started the opening round of the College World Series on the right foot.

CCU is one of eight teams that made it to Omaha, Nebraska, to compete for a chance at winning it all.

The No. 13-seeded Chanticleers took on the Arizona Wildcats Friday afternoon, and despite some lead changes, CCU came out on top 7-4.

CCU struck first in the matchup with a two-run single from Wells Sykes in the bottom of the second.

Wildcats would answer with two runs of their own in the top of the fourth, tying the game.

Blagen Pado would break that tie in the bottom of the fifth inning with an RBI single to center.

In the top of the sixth, the Wildcats took the lead for the first time in the afternoon after scoring two runs, but CCU brought one home in the bottom half, leaving the score tied at 4-4.

CCU had a chance to take the lead in the seventh, but Garrett Hicks racked up two straight strikeouts out of the bullpen with a runner in scoring position.

Again in the eighth, CCU put a running in scoring position with two outs, but this time, Sebastian Alexander dropped a single into center, bringing Sykes home. But CCU wasn’t done as a double from Blake Barthol brought in two more Chanticleers, putting CCU up 7-4.

CCU then closed it out in the ninth inning, finishing the game with a double play.

With the win, CCU extended its win streak to 24 games.

The team will now get ready to play Sunday at 7 p.m.

Stay with WMBF News for updates on CCU’s journey in Omaha.

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