Coastal Carolina University Baseball: A History of Success
Coastal Carolina University, located in Conway, South Carolina, has a rich history dating back to its humble beginnings as a junior college in 1954. While the university has grown and evolved over the years, its baseball program has emerged as a consistent source of pride and athletic achievement.
From Junior College to University Status
The story of Coastal Carolina University began on the evening of July 23, 1954, when a group of citizens met to discuss the creation of a local college. Just nine days before the first classes on Sept. 20, 1954, Edward Woodhouse began his service as director of Coastal Carolina Junior College, which opened as a branch of the College of Charleston.
In the early years, Coastal Carolina Junior College gained independence when the College of Charleston discontinued its extension program. The South Carolina General Assembly created the Horry County Higher Education Commission to oversee the use of Coastal Carolina's county tax money. In fall 1960, the Horry County Higher Education Commission established Coastal Carolina Regional Campus of the University of South Carolina. The college became USC Coastal Carolina College, beginning a 33-year relationship with the University of South Carolina.
Growth and Independence
The institution continued to grow, adding a junior year in 1973 and a fourth year in 1974. Under the leadership of Ronald G. Eaglin, Founders was celebrated to recognize those who had central roles in the history of the institution, including those who are designated "original founders" during the ceremony.
On July 23, 1991, the Coastal Educational Foundation and the Horry County Higher Education Commission voted to seek legislative approval to establish an independent Coastal Carolina University. The South Carolina Legislature passed legislation establishing Coastal Carolina University as an independent, public institution, effective July 1, 1993. Ronald R. Ingle was named the University's first president.
Read also: CCU In-State Requirements
A Baseball Powerhouse
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers baseball program is the college baseball team for Coastal Carolina University. It has been the university's most consistent program in terms of success.
Under the leadership of former Head Coach Gary Gilmore (1,118-597-3 at CCU, 1,371-699-5 overall), the Chanticleers made 19 NCAA Regional appearances and three Super Regional appearances since being hired in 1996. The program has hosted a regional after being a #1 seed on six occasions (2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2018, 2023). They have won 50+ games in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2016. In 2016, Coastal went 21-3 in Big South play, winning the regular season Conference Championship and the Conference Tournament.
The 2016 National Championship
The pinnacle of the program's success came in 2016, when the Chanticleers won the NCAA Men's Baseball Championship. In the 2016 post-season, Coastal won the Raleigh Regional by beating the NC State Wolfpack 2-1. The Chanticleers went on to beat the LSU Tigers 2-0 in the Baton Rouge Super Regionals, and ultimately got to the 2016 CWS Final and defeated Arizona two games to one to win the National Championship. The title game finished mere hours before Coastal officially left the Big South Conference, the school's home since 1983 (1984 baseball season), for the Sun Belt Conference.
On June 19, 2016, the Chanticleers baseball program made their first ever appearance in the CWS defeating #1 ranked Florida Gators. The Chanticleers made it through the double elimination bracket with one loss. In the Best of 3 Series against Arizona, the Chanticleers lost game 1 but rallied back to win games 2 and 3. On June 30, 2016 the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers defeated Arizona 4-3 in game 3 to become the 2016 NCAA Men's Baseball Champions.
Here's a look at Coastal Carolina's run through the NCAA baseball tournament in 2016:
Read also: Choosing a Diploma Frame
Raleigh Regional:
- Defeated Saint Mary's 5-2
- Defeated NC State 4-0
- Lost to NC State 8-1
- Defeated NC State 7-5
Baton Rouge Super Regional:
- Defeated LSU 11-8
- Defeated LSU 4-3
College World Series:
- Defeated No. 1 Florida 2-1
- Lost to TCU 6-1
- Defeated No.
Coastal Carolina Super Regional appearances
Coastal Carolina is no stranger to the Super Regional round, having made it to this round of the NCAA baseball tournament three times before. The Chanticleers' last appearance in the super regional round came in 2016, when they went on to win the whole thing.
In 2016, Coastal Carolina knocked off LSU in two games with 11-8 and 4-3 victories over the Tigers at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Those wins marked the first-ever wins for the Chanticleers in the super regional.
Overall, Coastal Carolina has a 2-4 record in the super regional, but is 2-2 against SEC opponents. The Chanticleers were swept by South Carolina in the Myrtle Beach Super Regional in 2010. The first super regional for the program came at the Cary Super Regional in 2008, when North Carolina swept it.
Here's a look at Coastal Carolina's super regional appearances:
- 2008: Swept by North Carolina in the 2008 Cary Super Regional
- 2010: Swept by South Carolina in the 2010 Myrtle Beach Super Regional
- 2016: Swept LSU in the 2016 Baton Rouge Super Regional
- 2025: TBD in Auburn Super Regional
Continued Success
In 2017, Coastal Carolina has had 3 former players on active MLB rosters. Taylor Motter, SS - St.
Read also: Premier CCU Student Housing
First-year coach Kevin Schnall has left off where legendary coach Gary Gilmore left off, leading Coastal Carolina to 51 wins thus far in 2025. Gilmore led the Chanticleers to 1,114 wins.
Coastal Carolina has reached the NCAA baseball tournament 21 times in program history. The first appearance of the Chanticleers came in the 1991 season. They did not make it back until 2001, but have made it 20 times in the last 25 seasons, including four years in a row.
The Chanticleers have emerged as regional champions four times, including most recently in 2016.
Facilities and Recognition
On March 29, 2011, the Coastal Carolina baseball team scheduled an exhibition game against MLB's Texas Rangers at the Chanticleers home field for 2013, BB&T Coastal Field in Myrtle Beach, SC.
The new state-of-the-art baseball/softball hitting facility opened in May. Quail Creek Golf Club is renamed the General James Hackler Golf Course at Coastal Carolina University in honor of the Grand Strand golfing pioneer and CCU benefactor.
The baseball team is recognized by the NCAA for having the highest winning percentage among Division I baseball programs and hosts the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time.
tags: #coastal #carolina #university #baseball #history
