Chants upset No. 9 South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina softball team upset the No. 9 South Carolina Gamecocks 5-3 in Columbia, S.C., on Wednesday evening.

The Chanticleers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning when Georgia Hood cracked an RBI single through the right side, putting Coastal up 1-0. Freshman McKennah Metzger then doubled Coastal’s lead, reaching on a fielder’s choice to allow Delaney Keith to score.

The Gamecocks responded in the bottom of the third inning when Karley Shelton hit an RBI double to center field, narrowing the gap to 2-1.

Coastal extended its lead in the top of the fifth when Sydney Montoya hit a leadoff single and Clara Hudgens pushed her to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Libby Pippen then stepped up to the plate and laced an RBI single to left field, making the score 3-1. Keith added two more insurance runs on the next play when she launched a two-run home run over the center-field wall to put CCU up 5-1.

The Chanticleers' defense worked its way out of a jam in the bottom of the fifth, turning a double play with runners on second and third to escape the inning unscathed.

The Gamecocks threatened in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on a two-run single by Quincee Lelio before loading the bases. However, the Chants remained composed and secured the final two outs to seal the 5-3 victory.

Nicolette Picone improved to 13-1 on the year, allowing three runs while striking out five batters in her 10th complete game of the season.

The Chanticleers will remain on the road to open Sun Belt Conference play with a three-game series against the Troy Trojans from March 14-16.