MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – UNCW fell in the championship game of the Coastal Athletic Association tournament, 9-6, on Saturday to nationally-ranked Northeastern at Patriots Point.
The Seahawks (34-24) advanced to the championship game with a 6-5 win over the College of Charleston (37-22). UNCW scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to wipe out a 5-1 deficit over the final five innings.
The winning run scored on a hit-by-pitch by Aidan Evans with the bases loaded in the ninth inning.
Trailing 5-4 enter the bottom of the ninth, Mac Gillespie led off with a single and moved around to third on a Brock Wills’ double. Trevor Lucas tied the game with a RBI ground ball out. Following a pair of intentional walks to load the bases, Evans was hit in the back with the first pitch of his about to force in the winning run.
Cyle Phelan (2-2) was credited with the win after striking out two in a 1-2-3 top of the ninth.
Jake Brink (6-6) was saddled with the loss for the Cougars, who plated five runs in the fifth inning to grab a 5-1 lead.
In the championship game, Tanner Thach homered twice and Kevin Jones belted a three-run homer in the second inning.
The Seahawks built a 6-3 lead going into the eighth, but the Huskies struck for six runs to take a 9-6 lead.
Aubrey Smith, who made his second start of the season, gave the Seahawks a career-long seven strong innings but did not figure in the decision.
Connor Kane (0-1) took the loss for UNCW.
Northeastern’s Harrison Feinberg homered twice and knocked in six runs and was named Most Outstanding Performer of the tournament.
Jack Bowery (3-0) earned the win and Brent Dunham posted his fifth save.
