Radford Drops Third Straight To Coastal Carolina

RADFORD, Va.--Coastal Carolina broke up a Tom Graham no-hitter in the sixth inning by collecting five hits to score seven runs en route to a 12-6 Big South win over Radford Sunday afternoon at Dedmon Center Park. The win was the third straight for the Chants over RU, and it marked the first time Radford has lost three straight since early March. It also was the first time this season that the Highlanders have been swept in a Conference series. (Box Score)

Graham, who hadn’t made a start since March 28 against UNC Asheville due to illness, allowed no hits and just six baserunners until the sixth inning, when second baseman Michael DeJesus led off with a solo home run to right centerfield. A double by pitcher Mike Costanzo scored shortstop Brett Grandstrand and an RBI bunt by third baseman Jason Krohn scored Costanzo. After Cory Koliscak relieved Graham, left fielder Chris Raber scored when right fielder Adam Pernasilici was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. An RBI single by catcher Chad Oxendine plated Krohn centerfielder Ryan McGraw grounded out to first, allowing first baseman Brett Gordon to score. Pernasilici complete the seven-run inning by scoring on a fielder’s choice by Grandstrand.

Graham (1-1) took the loss, throwing five complete innings, allowing four hits, and six runs while striking out three and walking five. Koliscak threw 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Coastal starter Mike Costanzo (5-2) got the win, throwing 6 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and three runs while walking three and striking out four.

Coastal (24-11; 7-5 Big South) added another run in the top of the seventh when Raber scored on a wild pitch. Radford rallied in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs. Catcher Dean Altavilla smacked a two-RBI double into center field, scoring designated hitter David Landman and centerfielder Jesse Ross. Altavilla then advanced home on a wild pitch.

The Chanticleers pushed their lead out to nine with four runs in the top of the ninth. Right fielder Jeremiah Grove singled to centerfield, scoring Costanzo. A double by Oxendine then scored Grove and Gordon. A single by McGraw closed out the CCU scoring efforts as it brought Oxendine home.

The Highlanders (15-17; 7-5 Big South) would again rally in the bottom of the inning however. Ross, who doubled to lead off the inning scored on an error that allowed right fielder Ryan Ives to reach first. Shortstop Stuart Ritchie hit a two-RBI single to centerfield, scoring Ives and Altavilla for RU’s final two runs.

Landman and third baseman Shaun House led RU with 2-for-4 performances at the place. First baseman Mark Fleisher also had two hits. Ritchie and Altavilla each colleted two RBI. The Chants were paced by 2-for-3 perfomances by Raber and Krohn. Oxendine and Costanzo also tallied two hits and Oxendine also had three RBI.

RU will host New River Valley rival Virginia Tech Tuesday at 3:00 pm. Coastal Carolina will play at UNC Wilmington Tuesday at 7:00 pm