CONWAY, S.C. - Appalachian State (30-21, 12-12 SBC) fell to Coastal Carolina (34-18, 12-13 SBC) on Thursday after a first inning jump by the Chanticleers. Coastal scored three runs on three home runs in the first inning and the Mountaineers could not recover, losing 1-3.
Kenzie Longanecker suffered the loss in the circle bringing her record to 14-6 on the year. Maddie Seimer pitched six innings in relief picking up two strikeouts and allowing only one run.
The Chanticleers came into the series with a 22-7 record at home and they were ready to defend that record.
Longanecker threw only five pitches as the first two batters for Coastal each had a home run bringing the score to 2-0 early. Seimer picked up a strikeout in relief against her first batter but suffered a solo home run as well two batters later.
However, the Mountaineers would not allow another run the remainder of the game. The task at hand then became run support.
The two sides went back and forth for five innings until the top of the sixth.
Caylie Kifer reached base on a walk followed by
Alison Durrence finding her way on due to a fielding error. Thanks to a wild pitch and a throwing error by the catcher, Kifer made her way around the bases to put the Mountaineers on the board.
Heading into the final chance for the black and gold, the Mountaineers, despite being down two runs, had the momentum after shutting down the Chanticleers on defense.
With one out,
Megan Walker and
Keri White each singled to put two on and force a pitching change for Coastal. With the winning run at the plate, the Chanticleers got out of the inning to take the first game of the series 3-1.
Game two is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday.
App State Softball thanks AutoStar Nissan of Boone for presenting the 2019 Softball Season.
