BAY MINETTE, Ala. - The Coastal Alabama South Baseball team picked up a pair of home victories over Lawson State (Ala.) on Thursday afternoon, March 7, opening conference play in the ACCC with a 2-0 showing. The Coyotes used a 4-3 comeback victory in game one of Thursday's doubleheader, while putting together an impressive 11-4 showing in the nightcap. Coastal South's overall record improves to 6-12 on the season following the two wins.
Doubleheader Highlights
In the game one, Lawson State opened the seven-inning contest with a strong three-run first inning. However, Coastal South starting pitcher Dexter Benoit held the Cougars off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, the Coyotes hit the scoreboard in the second inning, scoring two runs to cut the lead to just one run. Two innings later, Coastal South grabbed the lead with an additional two-run inning, eventually winning the game, 4-3.
Devon Murphy highlighted the offense with a 2-for-3 showing at the plate, recording a home run and driving in three of the Coyotes' four runs. Derek Jelen recorded Coastal's other RBI in the win, while Quincy Walters went 2-for-2 with a walk and a pair of runs scored. Adison Scott worked three walks as the Coyotes totaled eight walks in game one against Lawson State.Â
On the mound, Dexter Benoit tossed a complete game, allowing six hits and three runs. After the three-run first for Lawson State, Benoit settled in and struck out eight batters in the winning effort. The win is Benoit's first on the year.
In game two, Coastal South's offense exploded for 11 runs off 15 hits. Both teams recorded two runs in the first inning, with Lawson State adding an additional run in the fifth. Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom half of the fifth inning, the Coyotes scored two runs to grab the lead and never looked back. For good measure, Coastal added an insurance run in the seventh inning, while using a six-run eighth frame to put the game away. Lawson State did add one late run, but the six-run inning for the Coyotes proved to be too much.
Derek Jelen continued his strong day with a 2-for-2 performance at the dish in the second game, recording a homer and a team-high four RBIs. Drake McBride led Coastal with three hits in five at-bats, tallying one run driven in and Quincy Walters went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Bryson Morman was awarded the start on the mound in game two by head coach JD Pruitt, pitching into the eighth inning to seal the win. Morman's line included 7 1/3 innings of work, allowing four runs off five hits while striking out nine.
The Coastal South bullpen combined to pitch 1.2 innings, giving up just one hit and two walks, while keeping the Cougars off the scoreboard.
What's Ahead
Coastal South is scheduled to meet Lawson State for an additional doubleheader on Sunday, March 9 in Birmingham, Ala., with first pitch of game one scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT.
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