Coastal Carolina Set for Doubleheader Against Fairfield
Coastal Carolina and Fairfield will face off in a doubleheader on Saturday due to expected inclement weather in the Conway area on Sunday.
The Chanticleers took Game 1 of the series, where momentum shifted from a five-run sixth inning fueled by a pair of RBI singles from returning senior outfielder Dean Mihos and JUCO transfer Trace Mazon. Coastal was then able to capitalize on two Fairfield miscues, resulting in a 5-2 lead going into the final stretch of the game.
Junior right-hander Cameron Flukey started the game strong, striking out Fairfield’s leadoff hitter on three pitches before surrendering back-to-back home runs to All-MAAC seniors Luke Nomura and Matthew Bucciero.
Flukey was able to slow the game down and become the dominant pitcher he is, getting the hang of his off-speed and high-velocity fastball. The New Jersey native threw 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs, while striking out seven batters.
Offensively, the Chanticleers tallied seven total hits, but were getting shut down by All-MAAC Pitcher Ben Alekson, who had six strikeouts and allowed just three hits in four innings before he was pulled.
Mihos and Mazon led the way, each with two hits and an RBI. Promising Stetson transfer Jordan Taylor had some quality at-bats, including a double in the right-center gap and a crucial walk in the sixth inning. Veteran senior Blake Barthol reached base four times, including a single to the opposite field.
Senior reliever Darin Horn earned his first win of the 2026 season, tossing 3.1 innings with four strikeouts and allowing no earned runs.
Anchored by one of the MAAC’s most productive cores, the Stags’ lineup features Normura, Bucciero, TJ Schmalzle and JP Kuczik in the heart of the order. Normura batted .332 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs last season, earning All-MAAC First Team recognition, while Bucciero led the club with 15 homers and 65 RBIs, both second-best in the conference. Schmalzle hit for an average of .280 with eight homers and 40 RBI’s, making an impact during Fairfield’s championship run, where he drove in the game-tying run in the top of the ninth inning in the MAAC Championship game against Rider. Kuczik hit for an average of .311 in 42 games started, also making an impact in the MAAC tournament, where he recorded a .571 average with two homers.
Georgia State transfer Ross Norman will take the mound for Game 2 of the series. Norman posted a 5-8 record and a 7.68 ERA last season for the Panthers. Norman enters his sophomore season hoping to develop under pitching coach Matt Williams’ wing and learn from one of college baseball’s best pitching staffs.
Returning sophomore Luke Jones will get the start in Game 3 of the series. The South Carolina native started in 10 games last season, appearing in 17, posting a 3.51 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 48.2 innings pitched.
About The Author
