CONWAY, S.C.– Coastal Carolina coach Gary Gilmore honored his longtime friend and UNC Wilmington coach Mark Scalf in a pregame ceremony prior to tonight’s game between the two teal-clad rivals. The ceremony included a video tribute about Scalf’s impact on UNCW and college baseball.

Scalf announced his retirement on Feb. 13 after 27 years of coaching the Seahawks to nine NCAA tournament berths and five Colonial Athletic Association titles.

“I rely on his friendship, his wisdom and the love we actually have for each other is an incredible bond that we have,” said Gilmore. “I feel like I’m losing a brother not coaching against this guy next year or the year after.”

Gilmore presented Scalf and his family with a commemorative bat that was intentionally left unengraved for Scalf to mark what he wants to at a later date along with a four-day/three-night oceanfront vacation for when Scalf sails into retirement at the end of this season.

Gilmore and Scalf have been friends for over thirty years. The pair first competed against each other while Gilmore coached at USC Aiken. The future Hall-of-Fame skippers have combined for 2,122 wins across multiple decades of coaching.

“I think the world of this man,” Gilmore said. “He’s one of the most respected coaches in all of college baseball.”

The Seahawks and Chants have split a pair of games at Brooks Field this season with Wednesday night’s finale serving as the tiebreaker and final meeting between the two friends.

Sports Editor Brandon Sans can be found on Twitter @bsans10. Any tips or suggestions should be forwarded via email to [email protected].