MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. - Coastal Alabama - South Baseball put an emphatic end to a challenging stretch on Saturday evening, Mar. 21, snapping a 14-game losing skid with a commanding 15-4 run-rule victory in five innings over Northwest Shoals Community College (Ala.). The win also marked the Coyotes' first conference victory of the season, as they salvaged the finale of a four-game ACCC series with the Patriots over the weekend.

With the win, the 'Yotes improve to 9-20 overall and 1-11 in ACCC action.

Back in the Win Column

The Coyotes wasted no time setting the tone in the series finale on the road, erupting offensively and applying constant pressure at the plate. Coastal - South opened the game with a six-run first inning, later scoring eight runs alone in the fourth frame to put the game well out of reach. The Coyotes combined timely hitting with aggressive baserunning to build on the dominant performance.

Seth Payne led the charge at the plate and on the bases, doubling twice and finishing 4-for-4 at the dish with three RBIs and three runs scored. Payne ran wild on the bases and added a career-best six stolen bags in the victory, constantly putting pressure on the Northwest Shoals pitching core. Meanwhile, Aiden Hughes also notched three RBIs in the win, finishing 2-for-3 at the plate with a stolen base, and Coyote newcomer Carson Carrera managed a 1-for-1 line at the plate with three RBIs and a walk. In total, the Coyotes tallied 11 hits and 11 stolen bases in the finale. 

Other contributors in the blowout included Derek Jelen, who went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and runs scored. He also stole two bags. Grayson Roberson joined Jelen with two stolen bases, finishing 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk and two runs scored. Tyler DelVecchio, Noah Eady, and London Prashad also tallied an RBI apiece in the win. 

Defensively, the Coyotes backed up their offense with a steady effort in the field with no errors, while the pitching staff limited damage and kept Northwest Shoals from mounting any sustained comeback. Cole Arnett highlighted the pitching for the Coyotes in the series finale, tossing 3 1/3 innings of one-hit ball from out of the bullpen, allowing only two runs and striking out a pair. Chris Floyd closed out the game by recording the final two outs without allowing a base runner.

The breakthrough performance not only halted the losing skid but provided a much-needed spark as Coastal - South Baseball looks to build momentum moving forward in conference play.

Set for Four Against Calhoun

The 'Yotes will aim to carry the momentum into their next conference series as the team continues to push through the heart of the ACCC schedule, hosting Calhoun Community College (Ala.) on Thursday, Mar. 26 in Bay Minette for a doubleheader. First pitch of Thursday's DH is set for 2:00 p.m. CT at Stanley James Field. 
 

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