No. 7 Coastal Carolina Tops Georgia State 7-2, Secures Series Win

Chanticleers use timely hitting and strong pitching to clinch weekend Sun Belt Conference series

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:37am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a college baseball game, with the players, field, and stadium broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the sport.Coastal Carolina's series-clinching victory over Georgia State showcases the Chanticleers' well-rounded team and their status as a Sun Belt Conference title contender.Conway Today

No. 7 Coastal Carolina defeated Georgia State 7-2 on Saturday night at Springs Brooks Stadium, clinching the weekend Sun Belt Conference series. The Chanticleers broke things open in the third inning with a two-run single by Walker Mitchell and a two-run single by Rex Watson to take a 5-1 lead. Mitchell finished the game 2-for-4 with a game-high four RBIs, while Watson drove in two runs. Blake Barthol added a solo home run in the seventh inning to provide the final margin. On the mound, Ross Norman earned the win, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing two runs, while Darin Horn closed out the game with 3.2 innings of hitless relief to earn his fifth save.

Why it matters

This win keeps No. 7 Coastal Carolina in the hunt for the Sun Belt Conference title, as they improve to 28-10 overall and 15-2 in conference play. The Chanticleers have been one of the top teams in the country this season and this series victory over Georgia State solidifies their standing as a contender.

The details

With the game tied at 1-1 in the third inning, Coastal Carolina broke things open. Walker Mitchell delivered a two-run single to left field to give the Chanticleers a 3-1 lead. Rex Watson then followed with a two-run single to push the advantage to 5-1. Mitchell added another RBI single in the fifth inning, finishing the game 2-for-4 with a game-high four RBIs. Watson also drove in two runs as Coastal's offense capitalized on key opportunities. Leading 6-2 in the seventh inning, Blake Barthol added the finishing touch with a solo home run, his third of the season.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • Coastal Carolina and Georgia State will conclude the three-game series on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

The players

Walker Mitchell

A Coastal Carolina player who delivered a two-run single in the third inning to give the Chanticleers a 3-1 lead. He finished the game 2-for-4 with a game-high four RBIs.

Rex Watson

A Coastal Carolina player who followed Mitchell's two-run single with a two-run single of his own in the third inning, pushing the Chanticleers' lead to 5-1. He drove in two runs in the game.

Blake Barthol

A Coastal Carolina player who hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to provide the final 7-2 margin. He went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Ross Norman

The Coastal Carolina pitcher who earned the win, improving to 5-3 on the season. He tossed 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five and walking one.

Darin Horn

The Coastal Carolina pitcher who closed the door out of the bullpen, tossing the final 3.2 innings without allowing any hits while striking out five to earn his fifth save of the season.

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What’s next

Coastal Carolina and Georgia State will conclude the three-game series on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 1 p.m. on ESPN+.

The takeaway

Coastal Carolina's timely hitting and strong pitching performance against Georgia State showcases their status as one of the top teams in the Sun Belt Conference and a contender for the conference title. The Chanticleers' ability to capitalize on key opportunities and get contributions from multiple players highlights their well-rounded team that will be a tough out for any opponent.