‘It felt like 2016 all over again.’ Coastal Carolina baseball headed to World Series
The cheering began before players got off the bus.
“Let’s go Coastal,” fans chanted as the Coastal Carolina University baseball buses pulled into the sports complex. When the doors opened and students started exiting, the noise grew.
There were general cheers mixing with the sound of friends and family calling out to specific players.
“It felt like 2016 all over again,” said Ryan Weiss, a 2015 CCU alum and avid Coastal sports fan.
CCU fans celebrated the Chanticleers homecoming Sunday afternoon after the team’s success at the Auburn Super Regional secured a spot in the Men’s College World Series, according to CCU. This will be the second time the CCU team has gone to the World Series, and the first time since their victory in 2016.
Excitement from Chanticleers’ fans young and old
Kayla Ward, a 2025 CCU graduate, said the Chants first World Series game is what introduced her to the college. She remembers being 12 years old and looking over her dad’s shoulder while he watched the tournament.
“I remember saying, ‘Dad, what team are we pulling for?’ and he said, ‘Coastal, because they’re the underdogs,’ ” Ward said. “Being just graduated and that we’re back here again is very full circle to me.”
In less than a day, fans are already planning their big trip to Omaha, Nebraska, where the World Series will be held. Taylor Spangler, a 2015 CCU graduate, said when he and his wife — who is not a CCU graduate but wore a T-shirt with the bright teal team colors — saw the win, they knew they had to attend the World Series.
“We got one-way tickets,” Spangler said. He also followed CCU to the World Series nine years ago. “In 2016 we did it on a tight budget. (This year it cost) a lot more than in 2016. It’s pricey, that’s for sure.”
Within minutes of the players making their way inside from the buses, it began to downpour. Anyone who didn’t take cover was soaked in seconds.
Under an awning, CCU Athletic Director Chance Miller assured the packed-together fans that season ticket holders would get priority. He also said he is working on securing more tickets for the World Series.
“We’re gonna try and get as many of our fans and staff members and donors as we can,” Miller said.
Excitement for CCU baseball ballooned as the year, and the team’s winning streak continued, went on. By the end of the Auburn, the Chants had won 23 games in a row, CCU said.
Ball Girls also cheered on
As a member of the CCU dance team, Ward considers herself a “Ball Girl.” Before the game, dance team members will help set up the stadium and, as a result, several have attended all the home games.
Mackenzie Barkley, another Ball Girl, said there were many more people attending games at the end of the season compared to the beginning.
“People normally used to not always stay until the very end. This time they’re staying to the end. They want to be here,” Barkley said.
The Ball Girls want to make it out to Omaha for the World Series but do not know if they have the funds to do so.
Long-time fans are excited to see their favorite potentially become two-time world champions.
“Hopefully they can repeat what they did in 2016. They’re one of the few teams to be able to ever go there and win it first try. Why not be 100% every time we go?” said Scott Grinter, the senior athletic director for athletic grounds.
The Men’s College World Series will start Friday, June 13.
This story was originally published June 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM.
