Coastal Carolina Dominates JMU in 12-2 Run-Rule Victory

Coastal Carolina opened its weekend series against James Madison in dominant fashion, cruising to a 12–2 run-rule victory behind an explosive offensive performance and strong pitching.

James Madison struck first on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ryan Gocia, and Clay Thompson scored in the top half of the second.

Coastal right fielder Rex Watson leveled the score at 1-1 as he turned on a pitch and sent it towering over the right-field wall. It was Watson’s club-leading fifth long ball of the season, continuing a scorching stretch for the sophomore outfielder who has been a spark plug for this Coastal offense.

Senior Dean Mihos crushed a three-run homer to left, marking Coastal’s second big fly of the inning. The blast brought home Colby Thorndyke and Ty Barrango, stretching the lead to 4-1. That shot was Mihos’ third of the season, who remains one of Coastal’s most dangerous hitters.

The Dukes threatened in the top of the fourth, loading the bases after a pitch hit Thompson, Cameron Aycock singled and Wyatt Campbell drew a walk. Gocia then worked a second consecutive walk from Coastal starter Luke Jones to force in a run, cutting the deficit to 4-2. However, Jones escaped further damage by inducing a crucial double play—Coastal’s 20th of the season to end the frame.

Called game (early) pic.twitter.com/Ap2Arq2AGa

— Coastal Carolina Baseball (@CoastalBaseball) March 21, 2026

The Chanticleers answered in the bottom half as Blake Barthol punched an opposite-field single to score Mihos from second. Known as perhaps the best on the roster at letting the ball travel and using the entire field, Barthol’s RBI knock extended the Coastal lead to 5-2.

Coastal Carolina broke the game open in the bottom of the sixth inning, erupting for six runs to extend its lead to 11–2. Trace Mazon recorded his third hit of the game with a double down the left-field line and later scored on an RBI single from Barthol, who notched his second hit and RBI of the night. A failed pickoff attempt by James Madison pitcher Tyler Muscar allowed Barthol to advance to third, setting up Walker Mitchell’s RBI double to push the lead to 7–2 while extending his on-base streak. After Watson was hit by a pitch, Bryce Greene entered in relief and balked in his first at-bat, bringing Mitchell home and moving Watson into scoring position. Blagen Pado and Thorndyke then delivered back-to-back doubles down the left-field line, driving in two more runs to cap the six-run inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Mitchell walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. On the next at-bat, Watson roped a liner over the left fielder’s head to score the game-winning run and walk-off for the 12-2 win in seven innings.

Mazon, Barthol, Watson and Thorndyke each turned in multi-hit games as the Chanticleers totaled 13 hits in the win.

On the mound, Luke Jones earned the win (1–1), allowing two runs on just two hits over five innings while striking out four. Darin Horn followed in relief with two scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit and striking out three to secure his third save of the season.

With the win, Coastal Carolina improves to 14-7 overall and 4-0 in Sun Belt Conference play.

The Chanticleers and Dukes will continue the three-game series on Saturday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.