Box Score Box Score

The High Point University baseball team wrapped up a 12-game road trip with a 7-2 loss at Coastal Carolina Sunday at Watson Stadium in Conway, S.C. High Point had chances to score early but the Chanticleer pitching staff stranded 11 Panthers in the game. Freshman Jared Avidon took the loss for HPU, dropping to 2-1 while Matt Rein improved to 4-0 with the win.

The Panthers fall to 17-16 (4-8 Big South Conference) while Coastal Carolina improves to 27-5 and stays unbeaten at 8-0 in Big South action.

Chanticleer starter Jim Birmingham struggled with his control in the early innings, walking three Panthers and hitting four more but HPU couldn't capitalize on the base runners. High Point left six runners on base in the first three innings without scoring a run.

Coastal Carolina put a run on the board in the first inning but HPU finally broke through in the top of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead. Steve Antolik was hit by a pitch and Andrew Bartlett walked to put two runners on. Mike Mercurio sacrificed them over and they both came around to score when Pablo Rosario singled up the middle. Rosario's basehit was the end of the day for Birmingham as he was replaced by Matt Rein who got out of the inning without further damage.

Birmingham went 3-1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with three walks, two strikeouts and four hit batters.

Coastal Carolina took the lead back in the fifth inning, finally getting to Avidon who had put up three scoreless innings after the first inning run. Avidon gave up back-to-back singles to Rich Witten and Taylor Motter. Rico Noel put a bunt down the third base line and his speed caused Bartlett to make a hurried throw across his body to first base which went wide of Antolik to score Witten and Taylor. Avidon struck out Scott Woodward looking before he was relieved by Corey Swickle.

Swickle got the first batter he faced, Jose Iglesias to hit a liner to the short stop, Mercurio. Iglesias was out at first and Antolik sent the ball to home plate trying to get Noel but he slid in just under Kyle Mahoney's tag to put CCU ahead 4-2.

Avidon lasted 4-1/3 innings allowing four runs, two earned, on seven hits and two strikeouts.
Coastal Carolina tacked on one unearned run in the sixth inning off Swickle and two runs in the seventh inning, one off Swickle and one off Drew Dades. Dades made his second appearance of the season giving up one run on two hit in an inning of work.

High Point returns home for the first time since March 24, to face Appalachian State Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Williard Stadium.