(From Big South Reports)

BOX SCORE

LEXINGTON, Va. - Coastal Carolina right-hander Anthony Meo pitched the first no-hitter in tournament history to lead the top-seeded Chanticleers to a 5-0 win over sixth-seeded Radford in Game 3 of the 2011 Royal Purple Big South Baseball Championship on Wednesday.

Radford (31-24) moves into an elimination game on Thursday, where the Highlanders will face the loser of the game between No. 2 Liberty and No. 5 Gardner-Webb at 11 a.m.

Meo retired the first 16 Highlanders in order (six ground outs, six fly outs, four strikeouts), until Blake Sipe reached on an error by Coastal first baseman Rick Witten in the top of the sixth. Meo proceeded to strike out Zach Costello and Matt Hillsinger to end the frame. Meo then retired the next four batters before walking Matt Mack with two outs in the seventh. Mack moved to second on a passed ball, but Meo fanned Ryan Burgess to end any momentum.

"Meo was good, he was really, really good," head coach Joe Raccuia said. "He had command of the strike zone, he was electric and you've got to tip your cap. We just have to come to play tomorrow."

In the ninth, Meo got Costello to line out to left for the first out, and after Hillsinger reached on a two-base error in shallow left field, Meo struck out Brett Mollenhauer and induced Alex Guerra into a line out to center for the historical victory. Meo improves to 9-3 on the season and 3-0 in his three career Big South Tournament starts.

The game was scoreless until the sixth inning when Coastal Carolina broke through for two runs. Tripp Martin walked to start the inning and moved to second on Scott Woodward's sacrifice. Witten was hit-by-pitch to put runners on first and second, and Tommy La Stella's fielder's choice grounder loaded the bases. Daniel Bowman then delivered the first pitch from new pitcher Brad Wimmer into left field for a two-RBI single that put the Chanticleers ahead, 2-0.

Martin put Coastal ahead 5-0 in the seventh with a three-run home run that hit the top of the light tower beyond the left field wall. It was his second home run of the season and drove in Hayes Orton and Tucker Frawley, who reached on a hit-by-pitch and single, respectively.

Radford starter Mark Peterson did not allow a hit in his three innings before leaving with an injury. Jacob Palese suffered the loss (0-1) after giving up two runs in 2.1 innings of relief.

The victory marks Coastal's fourth consecutive shutout of the Highlanders this season.