By R.G. Richard
6/7/2025
AUBURN, Ala. — Coastal Carolina University Baseball is headed to the Men’s College World Series for the second time after sweeping the Auburn Super Regional with a 4-1 victory over the fourth-seeded Tigers on Saturday inside Plainsman Park.
The No. 13 Chanticleers (53-11) won their 23rd-straight game and swept a ninth-consecutive weekend series.
Tied 1-1 in the seventh, Sebastian Alexander sparked a rally with a leadoff double. Walker Mitchell delivered the go-ahead RBI single to left, and two more runs came across on a fielding error and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.
Mitchell added insurance in the eighth with another RBI single, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Alexander doubled twice and scored twice as part of a three-hit day.
Jacob Morrison was strong in his start, scattering six hits and one run while striking out six over six innings. Hayden Johnson closed the door with three scoreless frames, striking out five to earn the win in relief and improve to 5-0.
Auburn (41-20) managed eight hits but left 11 runners on base. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the second on a two-out RBI single from Chase Fralick but were blanked the rest of the way.
Coastal Carolina will make its second-ever College World Series appearance next week in Omaha.
Notebook
Chants Headed Back to Omaha: Coastal Carolina advances to the College World Series for the second time in program history and first since capturing the national title in 2016. The Chanticleers are riding a 23-game winning streak, the nation’s longest active streak.
Mitchell Delivers in the Clutch: Walker Mitchell provided the go-ahead RBI in the seventh and an insurance RBI in the eighth, finishing 3-for-5. He has recorded multiple hits in five of the last six games.
Alexander Sets the Table: Sebastian Alexander went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and two runs scored. He now has 12 doubles this season and has hit safely in 14 of his last 15 contests.
Morrison and Johnson Shine on the Mound: Starter Jacob Morrison allowed just one run over six innings in a no-decision, while Hayden Johnson tossed three shutout frames to earn the win. Johnson improved to 5-0 on the season with a 3.03 ERA across 32.2 innings.
Bodine Nears Defensive Milestone: Catcher Caden Bodine threw out two runners in Friday’s win and added another strong defensive effort behind the plate Saturday. With 45 career runners caught stealing, he is one shy of tying the program record of 46.
COURTESY COASTAL CAROLINA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
