CONWAY, S.C. (Interstat) — Rex Watson launched a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning Friday night, capping a dramatic comeback to lift Coastal Carolina to a 10-6 victory over East Carolina in a nonconference baseball game at Springs Brooks Stadium.

The Chanticleers, who trailed 6-2 after seven and a half innings, scored four times in the eighth to tie it before Watson’s one-out blast off reliever Connor Moran sealed the win in extras. The pinch-hitter turned right fielder drove a 1-2 pitch deep over the left-field wall, scoring Caden Mihos, Derek Pado and Jake Horn ahead of him.

The most important sequence of the game preceded the final swing. In the top of the 10th, East Carolina failed to score despite putting runners on first and second with no outs. A sacrifice bunt and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, but Pirates hitter Carter Wallace grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.

That set the stage for Coastal Carolina’s decisive rally in the bottom half. Mihos led off with a double down the right-field line. After a pitching change, Blake Barthol moved Mihos to third with a sacrifice bunt. An intentional walk to Pado and a strikeout followed before Moran intentionally walked Horn to load the bases for Watson, who delivered the game-winning hit.

The game was a tale of two rallies. East Carolina appeared to seize control with a four-run top of the eighth, erasing a 4-2 deficit. Pinch-hitter Michael Kalinich provided the big blow, a two-run homer off reliever Jake Horn to tie the game. The Pirates added two more runs on an RBI single by Justin Irby and a run-scoring single by pinch-runner Alex Sabater to take a 6-4 lead.

Coastal Carolina answered immediately in the bottom of the frame against East Carolina reliever Sean Jenkins. After loading the bases with one out, Barthol lined a two-run single to left to knot the score at 6-6. The Chanticleers left the potential winning run at third base in the ninth inning, sending the game to extras.

The late fireworks overshadowed strong starting pitching performances. Coastal Carolina’s Luke Jones, the top star for the Chanticleers, allowed one earned run on four hits over 6 2/3 innings, striking out one. East Carolina’s Ethan Norby was sharp early, holding Coastal Carolina hitless through six innings, but was charged with three runs on three hits with eight strikeouts over six-plus frames. The Chanticleers finally broke through against the Pirates’ bullpen.

Coastal Carolina’s small-ball approach was effective, executing three sacrifice hits. East Carolina’s offense was hampered by hitting into three double plays.

With the win, Coastal Carolina improved to 8-5-1 overall. East Carolina fell to 7-6-1. The teams continue their three-game series Saturday at Springs Brooks Stadium.

The outcome defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which had simulated a 6-5 Coastal Carolina victory and gave the Chanticleers a 61.9% probability to win.