2026 Coastal Carolina Secures Win Against Texas State College Baseball
Coastal Carolina earned a 2-1 victory over Texas State at Springs Brooks Stadium today in Conway, South Carolina. The win secured a Sun Belt Conference series for Coastal Carolina, who now stand at 30-12 overall and 17-3 in conference play, extending their streak to 15 consecutive Sun Belt Conference series wins. In today’s game, Blagen Pado stepped up to the plate and blasted a walk-off solo home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning. I’ve noticed the Chanticleers have been quietly rising as a threatening opponent in their conference these past couple of weeks, and Pado’s performance, along with his teammates, is evidence of the powerful program.
Rashawn Galloway’s Leading Double for the Bobcats
Today’s contest was a pitcher’s duel from the first pitch in the game. Texas State starter Cade Smith came out dealing, and Coastal Carolina Ross Norman matched him pitch for pitch. The Bobcats drew first blood when Rashawn Galloway led the game with a double, scoring on a groundout to give Texas State a 1-0 lead. Galloway added a second double in the early innings and tied the program's all-time season record with 21 two-base hits. However, despite the early deficit, the Chanticleers remained composed and trusted their program to keep the game within reach. I believe Galloway has been underestimated in the beginning as a hitter in the Sun Belt, and his skill to find gaps in opponents’ defenses makes him an intimidating presence.
The Chanticleers Fight Back
The Chanticleers answered in the fourth inning when Brice Estep came through with an RBI single to left field, tying the game at one. The junior catcher’s performance has been continuously displaying his ability to deliver in high-leverage situations, and his presence at the plate serves as a reminder of Coastal Carolina’s offensive power. From that point on, both starters locked in and neither sides cold break through the other's defense. The Chanticleers did not record a hit in five at-bats with runners in scoring position and two outs, and a frustrating stretch that would have discouraged a lesser team. I think Estep’s growth behind the plate and in the lineup has been accelerating as the season progresses, and I believe he is becoming more capable of delivering when his team needs it.
Darin Horn and Blagen Pado Carry the Win
Ross Norman turned in seven strong innings, allowing only one run on three hits before handing the ball over to Darin Horn. The right-handed pitcher brought a dominant presence and tossed two scoreless frames with three strikeouts and only one hit allowed to improve to 6-1 on the season. Texas State threatened with two runners on base and two outs in the top of the ninth, but Horn struck out the final batter to leave them stranded on the corners. Then, on a 3-1 pitch with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Pado launched his walk-off home run 384 feet to left field to send the Chanticleers to their second straight walk-off win. To me, Horn is a reliable late-inning arm in the Sun Belt right now, and his 6-1 record proves he won’t let victories slip away.
Looking ahead, Texas State will try to salvage tomorrow's season finale, but all the spotlight belongs to Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers are 17-3 in Sun Belt play, their lineup is elite, and their pitching staff is assertive. I know this team has every component to make a deep run in the Men’s World College Series, and if Pado, Horn, and Estep continue to play at this level, Omaha could be within their reach. Today’s walk-off game was a reminder that this program knows exactly where they are headed and what it takes to get there.
