CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are hitting the mound this weekend, opening their 2024 season up in the annual Baseball at the Beach tournament at Spring Brooks Stadium.
The chants will face off against George Mason, Indiana and Duke this weekend.
The Duke game will be a big rematch for CCU, who lost to the Blue Devils back in June during a winner-take-all all game for a spot in the Super Regional.
However, CCU is still kicking off the 2024 season on a high.
Several polls are ranking the team in the top 25, and more than a dozen players are returning this season.
CCU’s Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Hogue said the team is ready to hit the diamond.
“I think our players are chomping at the bit to get on the field,” Hogue said. “They’ve been practicing now for about a month and went through all of their fall preparations. So, to throw out the first pitch, I know they’re really excited to do that.”
There is plenty of excitement heading into this season, but it’s also a bittersweet one.
Head baseball coach Gary Gilmore is entering his 29th and final season with the Chanticleers.
Gilmore has more than 1,000 career wins under his belt, including a College World Series championship with CCU.
He said he’s grateful and can’t believe how far the university has come.
“I’m very humbled and very appreciative of this opportunity that this place has given me,” Gilmore said. There’s never a trip I take where I wear CCU gear and someone doesn’t give me a ‘Chants up’ or ‘Go coastal.’ 15 years ago, people were completely oblivious to who we were and what we were.”
Hogue said the university has special plans to honor Gilmore throughout the season.
CCU athletics and the baseball team are even giving out special Gary Gilmore bobbleheads to anyone who purchases season tickets.
Gates for the Baseball at the Beach tournament open up an hour and a half before the first pitch.
Schedule:
Friday, Feb. 16
11 a.m. ET – Duke vs. Indiana
4 p.m. ET – George Mason vs. Coastal Carolina (ESPN+ / 105.5 FM Hank)
Saturday, Feb. 17
11 a.m. ET – George Mason vs. Duke
3 p.m. ET – Indiana vs. Coastal Carolina (ESPN+ / WRNN Hot Talk 99.5 FM)
Sunday, Feb. 18
11 a.m. ET – Indiana vs. George Mason
3 p.m. ET – VCU vs. Coastal Carolina (ESPN+ / 105.5 FM Hank)
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