Seahawks can’t hold lead against defending national champs

WILMINGTON, NC (COURTESY UNCWSPORTS.COM) — Kevin Woodall’s two-run double broke a 1-all deadlock in the top of the eighth inning as nationally-ranked Coastal Carolina edged UNCW, 4-1, on Wednesday at Brooks Field.

Coastal Carolina evened its record at 5-5 with the non-conference road win. UNCW, meanwhile, fell to 3-4 with its fourth consecutive loss.

Seth Lancaster had two hits for the Chants, including a double.

Brian Mims, Robbie Thorburn and Nick Feight each had two hits for the Seahawks. Mason Berne added a RBI double in the first inning.

Reliever Bobby Holmes (1-1) picked up the win for the Chanticleers. Austin Kitchen picked up his second save.

UNCW junior reliever Austin Magestro was saddled with the loss to drop to 0-2 on the season.

Up next: The Seahawks continue their nine-game homestand this weekend with three games against Florida Gulf Coast. The series opens Friday with a 4 p.m. start.

How it happened: In the Coastal eighth inning, Wood led off with a single and stole second. Two batters later Isaacson drew a walk and also stole second. Woodall doubled in both runners with a double into the right center field gap for a 3-1 lead.

Inside the box score: UNCW was 2-for-13 with RISP while Coastal was 2-for-7 … UNCW pitchers held CCU hitless with two outs (0-8) while Seahawk hitters were 5-for-14 … UNCW never had a runner on third with less than two outs while CCU plated both of their runners in that situation.

Notes: With 14 strikeouts tonight, UNCW has struck out at least nine times in each of its last five games … UNCW’s 15 runners left on base were a season high … Casey Golden drew a career-high four walks … Neither starter figured in the decision … CCU’s Anthony Veneziano struck out nine in 4.2 innings while UNCW’s Austin Warren held CCU to two hits over his 3.2 innings.