Bats come alive late to finish sweep

From electronic and staff reports
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Bottled up on one hit through six innings, East Carolina mounted a five-run rally in the seventh that propelled it to a 9-5 Conference USA victory over UAB Sunday afternoon at Young Memorial Field.

Drew Reynolds played pivotal roles at bat and on the mound in the comeback win that completed ECU's three-game sweep of the Blazers.

Reynolds' three-run double was the key blow in the Pirates' seventh inning outburst. He then transformed from designated hitter to reliever to hurl no-hit ball in the eighth and ninth to preserve the triumph.

ECU got to UAB starter James Naile for only one hit and an unearned run through six frames before Jay Cannon hit an infield single to open the seventh.

Naile followed with a walk to Dylan Brown and retired Sam King on a flyout before giving way to reliever Turner Lee. That's when the rally picked up steam and changed the complexion of the game.

After Bryan Bass got a free pass to load the bases, Cannon scored on a wild pitch. Jack Reinheimer was hit by a pitch to stack the bases again, chasing Lee to the showers.

Reliever Chase Mallard then served up the double to Reynolds that cleared the bases and gave the Pirates a 5-4 lead. Reynolds later scored on a single by Ben Fultz to add to the margin.

UAB responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, but ECU answered with one in the eighth and two more in the ninth, while Reynolds kept the Blazers' bats at bay to secure the outcome.

Reynolds earned his eighth save of the season.

Jake Harris (2-3), who took over for ECU starter Ryan Williams after three frames, logged 3 1/3 innings and picked up the win.

Lee (1-2) took the loss for the Blazers.

The Pirates outhit UAB 8-6, but seven of ECU's hits came in the final three innings.

Chase McDonald belted a homer for the Pirates in the ninth.

ECU returns home to host Elon on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

PAGE UPDATED 04/21/13 07:41 PM.

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