BOX SCORE

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Coastal Carolina's Ashley Bagwell held top-seeded Radford to three hits and struck out 12 as the fifth-seeded Chanticleers (25-31) upset the Highlanders (35-20), 2-1 in game five of the Big South Softball Championships presented by Musco Sports Lighting, Thursday evening from Terry Field on the campus of Winthrop University.

Bagwell did not allow an earned run and walked two over the course in earning her second complete-game win of the day.

With the defeat, Radford will have a steep hill to climb starting with No. 4 Charleston Southern, tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Coastal Carolina scored all the runs its would need in the third when it grabbed a 2-0 lead. The frame was highlighted by back-to-back doubles to open the scoring. Following the two-baggers, Ashley Pisone stole third and scored after the throw sailed in to the outfield and went right under the leftfielder's glove.

A RBI single by Vicki Madden broke up Bagwell's no-hitter in the fourth and put the Highlanders on the board and down 2-1. Madden was allowed to hit after a sky high pop up in the middle of the infield was misplayed and Michelle Beall scooted all the way to third.

Beall also had a strong game behind the plate, gunning out both Chanticleer steal attempts.

"Our pitching was strong and our defense played well, but when you can't hit the ball, you can't win,” said head coach Mickey Dean. “Our best players have to out perform their best players to win and we did not do that tonight.”

Radford's only other chance to score was in the first when it put runners on second and third with one out. However, Bagwell would strike out the next two batters and end the early threat.

Stephanie Dameron suffered the defeat in allowing an earned run on three hits in 2.1 innings. Chelsea Kelley came in a tossed one-hit shutout relief with three strikeouts. Her effort kept the Highlanders within striking distance.