BAY MINETTE, Ala. - Coastal Alabama South Baseball came up just short of a four-game sweep over Northwest Shoals (Ala.) on Saturday, March 22, splitting a doubleheader at home in Bay Minette two days after the Coyotes swept the Patriots on March 20 in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Coastal South won 4-2 in a close game to begin Saturday's DH, but allowed the Patriots to salvage the series finale with a 15-4 performance over the Coyotes in game two. Coastal South's overall record moves back to .500 at 14-14 following the weekend action, while the ACCC record sits at a conference best 10-2.
The Highlights
The Coyotes out-hit Northwest Shoals 7-5 across game one, which was a scheduled seven-inning game. The Coyotes used a three-run second inning to take the lead, adding an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth. Derek Jelen finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk, while Devon Murphy went 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Joseph Stephens joined Jelen with two hits, putting together a 2-for-2 performance at the plate with two runs scored. On the rubber, Spencer Nicholas threw the entire game, allowing only five hits, two runs and one walk. He struck out five Patriots.
In Saturday's second game, Northwest Shoals' offense sparked and put up 15 runs, 13 of which coming during the final two innings. Coastal South managed a 4-2 lead entering the final innings, but saw the Patriots push across five runs in the eighth to grab the lead. For good measure, Northwest Shoals scored eight runs alone in the ninth to seal the victory.Â
The Patriots out-hit Coastal South 11-9 in game two, with the Coyotes committing four errors in the loss. Coastal South Head Coach JD Pruitt was forced to use six arms on the mound as Garrett Milbourn recorded a solid 5 1/3 innings of work as the starter, allowing two unearned runs and picking up seven strikeouts. From there, the bullpen fell apart and allowed Northwest Shoals to series finale win.
Home DH on Thursday
Still sitting atop the current ACCC Baseball D-I standings, the Coyotes will host Chattahoochee Valley (Ala.) next on the schedule, coming on Thursday, March 27 in Bay Minette, Ala. Thursday's doubleheader is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. CT and starts a streak of four consecutive games against the two oppoenents.Â
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