BOONE, N.C. – The App State bullpen combined to allow just one earned run in 6.1 innings, and totaled ten strikeouts, but a pair of home runs for the Chanticleers proved to be the difference in a 6-1 loss on Friday at Smith Stadium.
App State (11-21, 3-11) opened the scoring in the first inning.
Dylan Rogers singled to center field with one out, and
Andrew Greckel doubled down the left field line to put two in scoring position.
Hayden Cross followed with an RBI groundout to put App State ahead, 1-0.
Coastal Carolina (18-13-1, 7-6-1) responded in the top of the second. With two outs, the Chanticleers loaded the bases on a single, a double, and a walk. Austin White then came through with a grand slam, to put the Chanticleers ahead, 4-1.
Xander Hamilton started the ballgame for the Mountaineers, but exited in the third inning with an injury.
Eli Ellington took over in relief and was excellent, working a career-high 4.1 innings in relief, and allowing just one run while striking out three.
The lone run Ellington allowed came on a solo home run to Nick Lucky in the fifth inning that made it a 5-1 ballgame.
Trey Jurnigan finished the ballgame for App State on the mound, giving up just an unearned run over two innings, while striking out three.
The Mountaineers offense tallied nine hits in the ballgame, but eight were singles, and App State went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
App State will look to salvage the finale, Saturday, as they face off with Coastal at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. The 2022 App State Baseball season is presented by Chick-fil-A.
