Coastal Carolina uses 3-run 8th inning to beat Arizona 7-4 in CWS opener, extend streak to 24 games
OMAHA, Neb. — Coastal Carolina broke open a tie game with three runs in the eighth inning, Dominick Carbone shut down an Arizona threat in the ninth, and the Chanticleers opened the College World Series with a 7-4 victory Friday.
The Chanticleers extended their winning streak to 24 games in their first appearance in Omaha since they beat Arizona in the 2016 finals. They'll play Sunday against the winner of Friday night's game between Louisville and No. 8 national seed Oregon State.
Arizona , in the CWS for the first time since 2021, will play the Louisville-Oregon State loser on Sunday.
Coastal Carolina scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to forge a 4-all tie with the Wildcats and took the lead in the eighth after reliever Garrett Hicks retired the first two batters.
Wells Skyes sliced a ball just inside the right-field line for a double and Caden Bodine was intentionally walked before Sebastian Alexander singled in the go-ahead run. Arizona closer Tony Pluta came on and gave up Blake Barthol's two-run double.
The Wildcats had runners on the corners with none out in the ninth. Carbone struck out pinch-hitter Dom Rodriguez and then got Brendan Summerhill to hit into a game-ending double play.
The Chanticleers of the Sun Belt Conference arrived with the most wins and on the longest winning streak ever entering a CWS.
Gary Gilmore, who coached the 2016 national championship team and retired after last season, accepted Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Schnall's invitation to fly with the team to Omaha. He watched the game from the stands.
Chanticleers reliever Cameron Flukey went four innings in relief of Riley Eikhoff and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk.
Coastal Carolina finished with 14 hits against four pitchers. Blagen Pado, who entered the NCAA Tournament batting .225, continued his postseason tear. He went 2 for 4 and is now 10 of 21 with three homers and eight RBIs over six tournament games.
Arizona's Mason White hit his 20th homer of the season, and 49th of his career, in the fourth inning, with Alexander leaping at the left-field fence and having the ball soar just over his outstretched glove.
The Wildcats' Owen Kramkowski, coming off his worst start of the season in an 18-2 loss at North Carolina in Game 1 of super regionals, scattered nine singles and a walk while giving up three runs in five innings. He struck out seven.
college sports: /hub/college-sports
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Coastal Carolina uses 3-run 8th inning to beat Arizona 7-4 in CWS opener, extend streak to 24 games
OMAHA, Neb. — Coastal Carolina broke open a tie game with three runs in the eighth inning, Dominick Carbone shut down an Arizona threat in the ninth, and the Chanticleers opened the College World Series with a 7-4 victory Friday. The Chanticleers extended their winning streak to 24 games in their first appearance in Omaha since they beat Arizona in the 2016 finals. They'll play Sunday against the winner of Friday night's game between Louisville and No. 8 national seed Oregon State. Arizona , in the CWS for the first time since 2021, will play the Louisville-Oregon State loser on Sunday. Coastal Carolina scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to forge a 4-all tie with the Wildcats and took the lead in the eighth after reliever Garrett Hicks retired the first two batters. Wells Skyes sliced a ball just inside the right-field line for a double and Caden Bodine was intentionally walked before Sebastian Alexander singled in the go-ahead run. Arizona closer Tony Pluta came on and gave up Blake Barthol's two-run double. The Wildcats had runners on the corners with none out in the ninth. Carbone struck out pinch-hitter Dom Rodriguez and then got Brendan Summerhill to hit into a game-ending double play. The Chanticleers of the Sun Belt Conference arrived with the most wins and on the longest winning streak ever entering a CWS. Gary Gilmore, who coached the 2016 national championship team and retired after last season, accepted Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Schnall's invitation to fly with the team to Omaha. He watched the game from the stands. Chanticleers reliever Cameron Flukey went four innings in relief of Riley Eikhoff and allowed two runs on two hits and a walk. Coastal Carolina finished with 14 hits against four pitchers. Blagen Pado, who entered the NCAA Tournament batting .225, continued his postseason tear. He went 2 for 4 and is now 10 of 21 with three homers and eight RBIs over six tournament games. Arizona's Mason White hit his 20th homer of the season, and 49th of his career, in the fourth inning, with Alexander leaping at the left-field fence and having the ball soar just over his outstretched glove. The Wildcats' Owen Kramkowski, coming off his worst start of the season in an 18-2 loss at North Carolina in Game 1 of super regionals, scattered nine singles and a walk while giving up three runs in five innings. He struck out seven. college sports: /hub/college-sports
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Dbacks closer Justin Martinez out for season with UCL sprain
Arizona's pitching staff took another hit as right-handed closer Justin Martinez is done for the season with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, according to reports Friday. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told MLB Network radio Friday that Martinez is still seeking a second opinion on the next steps but said he is expected to miss 12 to 13 months. Earlier this season, Martinez was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, but he had returned in what seemed to be full form until Monday's game over the visiting Seattle Mariners. In the eventual 8-4 win, Martinez struck out two and walked one when he suddenly motioned to the trainer in the middle of the next at-bat and left the game, reporting tightness in the right elbow. A subsequent MRI exam revealed the UCL sprain and sent Martinez to the 15-day IL on Tuesday. The Diamondbacks currently have eight pitchers on the IL, including four who are out for the season with UCL injuries: Corbin Burnes, Jordan Montgomery, Blake Walston and now Martinez. Additionally, Martinez's co-closer A.J. Puk was placed on the 60-day injured list on May 1 due to left elbow inflammation and could return in early July. Three others -- Cristian Mena (shoulder), Kendall Graveman (hip), Cristian Montes De Oca (elbow) - have no timetable for a return. Martinez converted to reliever after he returned from Tommy John surgery in 2021. The 23-year-old is 1-2 with five saves and a 4.11 ERA in 17 relief appearances this season. He is 6-8 with 14 saves and a 3.77 ERA in 91 career relief appearances with Arizona. --Field Level Media
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
"I wanted to earn it": Dan Skirka shares the immense significance of Murray State's journey to Omaha
Dan Skirka shares the immense significance of Murray State's journey to Omaha (Image Source: Murray State) It takes grit and grind every time to make the trek down the road to Omaha, and the road to the College World Series is no different for Murray State University's head baseball coach Dan Skirka. But this season, that road has a larger burden and a weight more personal. After leading the Racers to school history's first CWS appearance, Skirka said, "I just wanted to earn it," and that speaks to anyone and everyone who's ever pulled for the underdog. This is not simply one stop on the sport's biggest stage. This is the result of years spent cultivating a program, developing a special culture, and exceeding even the most hopeful expectations over a remarkable season in 2025. Earning a historic trip to the College World Series It's been an incredible journey for Murray State to get to Omaha. The Racers began a Cinderella postseason march as a No. 4 regional seed, upsetting traditional power programs such as Ole Miss and Duke in the NCAA Oxford Regional and Durham Super Regional, respectively. That included a gritty run through the key elimination games that earned them their historic place in the Men's College World Series. Skirka, who was just named the 2025 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Mike Martin National Coach of the Year, has led the Racers to a program-record 44 wins on the season, as well as the first Illinois Valley Conference regular season and tournament championships in program history. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Coming from modest origins with a focus on recruiting "the right people rather than the right players," has created a close group that can bridge the considerable gap in resources vs the larger competitors. Now they bring all of their school's hopes and thousands of new fans with them to Saturday's opener of the CWS run against UCLA. The true significance of Omaha for Skirka As a former player who started his coaching career as an assistant at multiple levels before rejoining the Murray State staff in 2019, it isn't just a professional destination for Dan Skirka visiting Omaha; it's a place that reinforces faith and faith. Also Read: Which team is closest to 2025 MLB World Series title? Where do Los Angeles Dodgers rank? His mantra of "squeezing every bit of what he could out of his limited resources" and the added "personal touch" has certainly reflected in a gritty and spirited team. We can feel the time put into this journey from Skirka, as he displays a strong emotional attachment. The Coach of the Year award and the CWS berth are another recognition not only of his coaching, but of the culture he has nurtured.
