Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Coastal Carolina’s baseball team picked up a midweek win over The Citadel on Tuesday night in Conway. Senior Blake Barthol went out on a high note in his final home game.
That parting gift came as a direct result of Kevin Schnall’s refusal to partake in a controversial college baseball trend. He would not run from competition.
He provided a strong message to followers after the fact. It offered a welcomed shift with the outlook of the student-athlete in mind.
Coastal Carolina does not cancel baseball games.
No matter the opponent. The Chanticleers could’ve easily followed in the footsteps of other notable programs. They, instead, chose to prioritize the player experience.
This season has been marred by midweek cancellations as bubble teams look to preserve NCAA Tournament resumes. Those scheduled to face foes with low RPI metrics are opting out of games.
In many of those cases, even a win could damage postseason portfolios. A loss might be a dagger to College World Series aspirations.
In the last month, we’ve seen NC State run from HBCU program NC A&T, Miami abruptly cancel a game vs. FIU, and Virginia Tech nix a matchup vs. Marshall.
Each was made as a way of preventing a slip in the RPI standings, which is the most significant criteria evaluated by the selection committee. Most choose to blame weather or depth issues to save face in the shameful decisions. They will not address the elephant in the room.
The NCAA has threatened to drop the hammer on programs that attempt to manipulate the system. It has not helped buck the trend.
— Jordon Banfield (@JCBanfield) May 11, 2026
Michigan seemed to kickstart the strategy this season by swapping a lowly rated opponent for more highly ranked replacement. Since, the cancellations have continued to pile up.
Coastal Carolina has a different outlook. The games are meant to be played. It’s in the best interest of the players. The Chants won’t run from a potentially harmful contest, no matter the impacts on NCAA Tournament dreams.
Seniors got one last home game.
The Chanticleers wrapped up their non-conference slate on Tuesday vs. The Citadel. They won, 5-3. A cancellation would’ve stripped upperclassmen of that opportunity. Kevin Schnall wouldn’t let it happen.
The Citadel is a strong mid-major brand. The Bulldogs have been to 13 NCAA Tournaments, including a run to Omaha in 1990.
This year, they’ve beaten South Carolina twice, taken Florida State to extra innings, and had Georgia on the ropes before a walk-off loss. Still, the RPI ranks 65th nationally with the Bulldogs sitting at 27-24.
Coastal Carolina, meanwhile, is 24th in RPI. It is not likely to host a regional and will probably be slated as a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
A loss to The Citadel may very well have impacted that seeding. The Chants still opted to play the game. That decision gave seniors a chance to go out on a high note in front of the home crowd.
Blake Barthol took full advantage.
https://t.co/a3iZyP4RIp pic.twitter.com/grOgClAqAQ
— Coastal Carolina Baseball (@CoastalBaseball) May 12, 2026
In the bottom of the second inning, the veteran infielder smacked what will likely be his final home run at Springs Brooks Stadium. He rounded the bases one last time to an ovation from the Coastal Carolina faithful.
That fact was not lost on Schnall.
“We don’t believe in canceling games late in the season,” he wrote on X. “One takeaway from our (student-athlete) experience stands out. There are only so many at-bats and innings left for these seniors. Moments matter.
“Proud to see Blake cap off his final game at Springs Brooks with a home run. Memory will last forever.”
Barthol signed with the program ahead of the 2023 season. He’s spent four years in Conway where he’s been previously recognized as an All-American.
The infielder’s smacked 39 homers across his college career. He helped the Chants reach the College World Series championship as a junior.
His coach gave him an opportunity to round the bases one last time with his refusal to run from competition. It’s a decision that should be commended.