CONWAY, S.C. — A powerful performance led by Colby Thorndyke propelled Coastal Carolina to an impressive victory over East Carolina, with a final score of 18-7, on Saturday night. This triumph secures the Chanticleers’ place in the championship round of their super regional.
The Chanticleers, despite being listed as the visiting team, unleashed a scoring barrage with 14 runs in the last three innings of the game.
Initially trailing 5-4 as they moved into the seventh inning, Coastal Carolina’s Sebastian Alexander kickstarted the rally with a lead-off home run to even the score. Thorndyke then stepped up to the plate and, after the bases were loaded due to a single, an error, and a hit-by-pitch, hammered a grand slam over the right-field wall, pushing the Chanticleers ahead 9-5. The scoring spree continued as Caden Bodine delivered a two-run double, concluding the six-run inning for a 10-5 lead.
In the eighth, Alexander once again made a significant impact with a two-run single, contributing to a five-run inning that expanded Coastal Carolina’s lead to 15-5. Thorndyke later added an RBI single in the ninth before scoring on Blagen Pado’s two-run homer.
East Carolina, seeded third, now faces a crucial elimination game against second-seed Florida on Sunday. The winner of that matchup will face Coastal Carolina later in the day and would need to defeat them again on Monday to advance to the super regionals. One victory for the top-seeded Chanticleers will see them through to the next stage.
Thorndyke’s formidable display saw him collect six RBIs, while Alexander and Pado both drove in multiple runs and amassed four hits each. Thorndyke also matched that number with his own bat.
The Pirates’ effort was highlighted by Dixon Williams and Austin Irby, each securing a home run, three hits, and two RBIs. Jack Herring contributed with four hits.
Matthew Potok improved his pitching record to 3-1 with his performance on the mound, whereas Brad Pruett suffered a loss, bringing his tally to 5-6.