Norman Shines in Debut as Coastal Cruises Past Fairfield, 5-1

JUCO transfer Trace Mazon dropped a perfect bunt down the third-base line for a single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Fairfield pitcher Matt Grabmann. Walker Mitchell was then hit by a pitch to put two aboard, but Coastal came up empty in the first. The Chanticleers led the nation in hit-by-pitches in 2025 with 179.

Chanticleers right fielder Blagen Pado tattooed a 2-2 breaking ball over the left-field wall for Coastal’s first home run of the 2026 season, giving the Chanticleers a 2-0 lead.

After a walk to Cruz Harlan, returning senior Dean Mihos jumped on a hanging breaking ball and sent a two-run shot into the left-field bullpen for the second homer of the inning, extending the lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second. Mihos continues a strong start to 2026 after posting two hits and an RBI in Friday’s season opener.

Fairfield calls to their bullpen after an apparent elbow injury for Grabmann. He finishes his day allowing two home runs, walking four and giving up three earned runs. Left-handed sophomore Hunter Hoxie came in to relieve Grabmann.

Jordan Taylor takes a single up the middle to put two on with one out. Pado gets hit by a pitch to load the bases for JUCO transfer Cruz Harlan. Harlan hits a sac-fly to left field as Tozzi scores from third to extend the lead to 5-0. Mihos grounds out to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth, Fairfield’s TJ Schmalzle ripped a double down the left-field line for the Stags’ first extra-base hit of the game. One batter later, Liam McIlroy lifted a high liner over shortstop Cruz Harlan to plate Fairfield’s first run, trimming the deficit to 5-1.

The Stags threatened to build on the momentum when Conner Scanlan singled to center, but McIlroy was cut down trying to take third as Dean Mihos delivered a throw on the money from center field to end the inning. The Chanticleers now have two outfield assists on the young season.

Norman tossed a 1-2-3 fifth, recording his fifth strikeout of the afternoon. Through five innings, he’s allowed just four hits, a hit-by-pitch and one earned run. Norman’s impressive Chanticleer debut comes to an end as sophomore right-hander Jaxon Appelman relieves him in the sixth inning. Appelman appeared in just three games last season for the Chants, striking out eight total batters in his freshman campaign.

In the top of the seventh, Conner Scanlan reached for the third time, beating out a throw from shortstop Harlan that was ruled an error. Jake Haarde followed with a walk, putting runners on first and second with no outs.

Nolan Colby then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position, with Appelman recording the out at first.

Left-handed hitter Payten Waruck pinch-hit for Aidan Baglino, and Coastal answered by going to the bullpen for freshman lefty Colby Richardson as Appelman’s day came to a close.

Richardson was electric in his collegiate debut, firing six pitches — all strikes — and striking out both batters he faced.

Junior right-hander Ryan Maiorano comes in to relieve Hoxie and walks Tozzi on four pitches. That was Tozzi’s fourth time reaching base in the game via a walk.

Coastal finished the game scoring five runs on six hits. The Chanticleers did not strike out once, constantly putting the ball in play and applying pressure to the defense.

Norman earned the win (1-0), allowing one run on four hits over 5.0 innings with no walks and five strikeouts.

Appelman and Richardson combined to allow just one hit and no runs over the final 4.0 innings.