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Bailey's
Take on Pirate Sports
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From the Anchor Desk
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
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By Brian Bailey |
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'Bitter pill' complicates
pursuit of at-large bid
©2005 Bonesville.net
East
Carolina came up with just five hits last night in Chapel Hill and its rally
fell short. Thus, the Pirates go 0-2 this year against North Carolina.
This one
was a most bitter pill to swallow.
The regular
season non-conference finale offered the Pirates another chance to knock off
a Top 25 opponent.
The Tar
Heels were ripe for the picking, too. They were riding a four-game losing
streak. But they snapped that streak with the win over the Pirates.
With the
loss, the Pirates fall to 32-21 for the season. Many feel that the magic
number is somewhere in the “35” range. If that’s the case, then a three-game
sweep of Saint Louis to end the regular season would move the Pirates to
that number.
I still
think East Carolina needs to have a good showing in the Conference USA
tournament to be sure. Even with the possible sweep of the Billikens to get
to 35, a win or two in the tournament might mean be the deciding factor in
getting that at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Chris
Powell took the loss against the Heels. He allowed four runs on three hits
while walking two and striking out three in 4 1/3 innings worked.
Jason Neitz
and Cody Leggett combined to pitch 3 2/3 innings before Mark Minicozzi came
on to pitch the eighth. Minicozzi, was making his second appearance on the
mound this season. He struck out one in one inning of work.
As far as
the hitters were concerned, Adam Witter was 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI
and a walk. Drew Costanzo picked up the Pirates' only other extra-base hit
with a double off the wall in center in the top of the ninth. Minicozzi did
his part at the plate, too, driving in a pair of runs.
The Pirates
tried to rally in the ninth. Costanzo's lead-off double in the final
frame and two errors by North Carolina fielders allowed ECU to cut the final
deficit to 8-5.
Tar Heel
reliever Matt Danford ended the Pirate rally by retiring three straight
after East Carolina had runners on the corners with no outs.
For the
Pirates, there truly is no rest for the weary.
East
Carolina left for Asheville shortly after the conclusion of the N.C. State
game last Tuesday. The Pirates beat UNC-Ashville on Wednesday and then flew
to Alabama.
East
Carolina swept the Blazers, but saw its four-game winning streak end at the
hands of the Heels.
The Pirates
will break on Wednesday, and then host Saint Louis for a three-game series
beginning on Thursday night.
Don’t
forget that Saturday is the dedication game at Clark-LeClair Stadium. If the
dedication ceremony is anything like the opening ceremony back in March,
then you won’t want to miss it.
There
wasn’t a dry eye in the place for opening day. I don’t know what the plans
are for Saturday, but I wouldn’t miss it for anything!
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02/23/2007 01:31:50 AM |
