BOX SCORE

RADFORD, Va. – Coastal Carolina starter Anthony Meo struck out 10 hitters over 7 1/3 innings, leading the fourth-ranked Chanticleers to a 7-2 Big South series-opening win over Radford on Thursday afternoon.

Meo limited the Highlanders to an earned run on five hits on the way to his 12th win (12-1) as Coastal Carolina (46-7, 24-0) extended its best start ever to a conference season.  The righty set down the side in order three times.

"Meo gave it to us pretty good, blowing the fastball by us," head coach Joe Raccuia said.  "He didn't use many pitches, and we knew what was coming and needed to make better adjustments on it.   You need to get your timing down better."

Raphael Turner touched Meo for three hits, going 3-for-3 with both of Radford's (29-23, 15-10) RBIs and an eighth-inning homer, his ninth of the season, to lead the Highlanders offensively.  Turner added a double in the sixth inning with two outs to score Tyren Rivers.

Tommy La Stella led the Chanticleers offensively with a 3-for-4 afternoon, four RBIs and a leadoff homer, his 11th, in the eighth.  Scott Woodward and Chance Gilmore went 3-for-5 each.

Derrick Brewer, making his second collegiate start, took the loss (0-4).  Brewer went four innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits.

Coastal Carolina jumped on Radford in the first inning on La Stella's two-out RBI single that scored Rico Noel, who walked to lead off the game.  The Chanticleers made it a 4-0 lead in the fourth on sacrifice flies by Jose Iglesias and La Stella.

"We walked too many guys that scored runs," Raccuia said.  "You just can't do that against a really good club.  You have to play good defense and have timely hits, and hopefully we learned that lesson today."

Radford and Coastal Carolina continue the series on Friday afternoon.

NOTES: Coastal Carolina head coach Gary Gilmore won his 600th game with the Chanticleers … Brad Wimmer made his 30th appearance of the season for Radford, tying the school single season record set in 1994 by Travis Toms.