MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - With four runs in the fourth and two runs in the seventh, No. 17 Coastal Carolina handed the Western Kentucky University baseball team its first loss of the season, 6-1, on Saturday afternoon at BB&T Coastal Field, the home of the Class A Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
WKU (5-1) took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the third but were shutout on four hits over the final six innings. Coastal Carolina (4-3) used a four-run fourth inning to take the lead and took advantage of three Hilltopper errors.
For just the first time this season, WKU failed to reach double figures in hits or collect an extra-base hit. Senior catcher Matt Rice finished the game 2-for-4, the only player to collect multiple hits.
Hilltoppers starting pitcher Justin Hageman (1-1) allowed four runs - one earned - on three hits while striking out five and walking three in four innings. WKU senior Brian Edelen worked three innings of relief, surrendering two runs - one earned - on four hits with three strikeouts. Freshman right hander Bret Sutton threw a scoreless eighth inning in his collegiate debut.
Coastal Carolina starter Stefan del Pino (1-0) worked six innings, allowing one run on seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Right-handed pitcher Ryan Connolly picked up his first save of the year after shutting out the Hilltoppers on one hit through the final three innings.
WKU got on the board in the top of the third on an RBI single by second baseman Ivan Hartle. Designated hitter Matt Borgschulte came around to score after reaching on a walk.
The Chanticleers jumped in front 4-1 with four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Second baseman Tommy La Stella drove in the first run with an RBI single and then scored on a throwing error by the shortstop. Center fielder Scott Woodward later added a two-run single to push the lead to three.
Coastal Carolina added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh to make the score 6-1. A solo home run by Woodward and an RBI single by Tripp Martin accounted for the scoring.
WKU put runners on in the sixth, seventh and eighth but only once advance that runner into scoring position.
The Hilltoppers return to the diamond Sunday with a 10 a.m. Central time matchup against Pacific at Coastal Carolina's Charles Watson Stadium.
