PERKINSTON, Miss. - The Coastal Alabama - South Baseball team returned to the win column in emphatic fashion Thursday afternoon, Feb. 12, defeating Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 17-8 in game one of a home-and-home series.

The victory, secured on the road in Perkinston, improves the Coyotes to 6-4 overall and hands the previously unbeaten Bulldogs their first loss of the season. Coastal - South will look to complete the two-game sweep Saturday at Stanley James Field in Bay Minette.

Offensive Firepower Fuels Coyotes

Mississippi Gulf Coast struck first with two runs in the opening inning, but Coastal - South answered with a two-run third to even the score. The Bulldogs regained a 4-2 advantage in the fourth before the Coyotes delivered the decisive blow late.

Trailing 4-3 entering the seventh inning, Coastal erupted for seven runs on seven hits to seize control. Grayson Roberson provided the key swing of the frame with a three-run home run, pushing the Coyotes in front 10-4. The offensive surge continued in the eighth as Coastal plated seven additional runs to extend the lead to 17-8. Clayton Kimball's grand slam capped the scoring in a nine-inning contest that featured 25 combined runs.

Kimball Stays Red Hot at the Plate

Kimball powered the Coyotes' 14-hit attack, launching two home runs and driving in five runs. The freshman outfielder has now produced back-to-back five-RBI performances and has six hits in his last 10 at-bats. He currently leads the ACCC with 18 RBIs and paces Coastal with five home runs.

Grayson Roberson added the three-run homer as part of his 1-for-6 day and ranks second in the conference with 17 RBIs. Meanwhile, Kennedy Leggett led the team with three hits in five at-bats, while Derek Jelen, Jeffrey Diaz, and Brooks Womble each recorded multiple hits. Jelen and Diaz both connected for their second home runs of the season.

On the mound, Seth Payne earned the victory out of the bullpen, tossing 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. He allowed just two hits and struck out three, while errors saw four unearned runs cross the plate. Trevor Ferris closed the door with two shutout innings for the 'Yotes, surrendering only one hit.

Series Finale Set for Saturday

The Bulldogs will attempt to even the series Saturday afternoon, Feb. 14 when the teams meet at Stanley James Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT in Bay Minette, Ala.


 

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