BREWTON, Ala. - Coastal Alabama - North Baseball, led by first-year head coach Matt Collins, opened the 2026 season Wednesday, Jan. 28 with a pair of losses to No. 14 Jones College (Miss.) at home in Brewton, falling 8-1 in the opener before dropping a competitive nightcap, 8-4. The games were played at the new and improved baseball stadium on Coastal Alabama's Brewton campus.

Game One: No. 14 Jones College 8, Coastal Alabama - North 1

In the opener, the Bobcats of Jones used timely hitting to take control early, plating the game's first four runs across four innings. The Bobcats scored one in the second inning, while adding three runs in the fourth before Coastal - North hit the scoreboard with a solo home run in the fifth off the bat of Tucker Carlos. Jones then broke the game open with a four-run seventh inning on the way to the 8-1 victory.

Carlos accounted for Coastal's lone run, finishing 1-for-3 with the solo shot, while catcher Rustin Pope went 2-for-3. The Coyotes finished with five hits and one walk in the game, making four outs in the bases against the nationally ranked Bobcats. On the mound, TJ Hauser was awarded the start for the 'Yotes in the season opener, while Brady Martin worked 2.1 innings in relief. Hauser struck out three in his season debut and Martin walked three. Both pitchers allowed three runs. Coastal - North pitchers battled but Jones capitalized on key opportunities.

Game Two: No. 14 Jones College 8, Coastal Alabama - North 4

In the nightcap, the Coyotes struck first and held a 3-0 lead through five innings before Jones erupted late. The Bobcats plated three runs in the sixth and added five more in the seventh to pull away for the 8-4 win.

Coastal - North totaled five hits in game two, highlighted by Jesse Lord with a solo home run and scoring twice. Cade Kelly went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, while Alex Phillips and Sam Guth each drove in a run.

On the mound, Kieran Kostanoski delivered three scoreless innings in his start, allowing just one hit while striking out two. Kameron McCord added three innings of relief with three strikeouts. Jones capitalized on free passes and hit batters late in the contest, as the Coastal - North pitching staff worked around traffic throughout the final innings. Defensively, the Coyotes committed three costly errors.

First Road Contest Awaits

The Coyotes will look to shake off the doubleheader sweep to Jones ahead of the first road matchup of the season, set for Friday afternoon, Jan. 30 in Montgomery, Ala. Coastal - North will face Faulkner University JV (Ala.) on Friday for one game at 3:00 p.m. CT. 
 

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