Coastal Carolina University’s baseball team began its 2026 season with a 5-3 win against Fairfield on Thursday at Springs Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina. The game drew 5,499 fans, marking the largest Opening Day crowd in the stadium’s history and ranking as the fourth-largest home attendance for the program.
Fairfield led 2-0 after five innings before Coastal Carolina responded with a decisive five-run sixth inning. Walker Mitchell reached base to start the rally, followed by Jordan Taylor drawing a walk. Dean Mihos then hit an RBI single to score Coastal’s first run of the season. Trace Mazon tied the game with another RBI single.
A wild pitch allowed Mihos to cross home plate, giving Coastal its first lead at 3-2. Later in the inning, Domenico Tozzi reached base on a fielding error that brought in two more runs and extended the Chanticleers’ lead to 5-2.
Coastal Carolina finished with seven hits. Mihos and Mazon each collected two hits and one RBI. Taylor contributed a double, while Blake Barthol reached base four times with three walks and a single.
Starting pitcher Cameron Flukey went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out seven and walking one batter. Darin Horn picked up the win (1-0) by pitching 3.1 innings in relief, allowing one unearned run and striking out four.
Due to anticipated bad weather on Sunday in Conway, Coastal Carolina and Fairfield will play a doubleheader on Saturday at Springs Brooks Stadium. The first game is set for 1:00 p.m., with Game 2 starting about 45 minutes after Game 1 ends. Fans must exit the stadium after Game 1 before re-entering for Game 2. Tickets originally issued for Sunday’s game will be accepted for admission to Saturday’s second game.
