Pirates top Campbell, 8-3

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Audio: Godwin, Kirkpatrick, Watkins post-game

GREENVILLE — East Carolina took an early lead and went on to an 8-3 win over Campbell at Clark-LeClair Stadium on Tuesday.

Freshman right-hander Davis Kirkpatrick, the son of Pirates inside receivers coach and football recruiting coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick, won his collegiate debut.

Kirkpatrick, who played baseball and football at nearby D.H. Conley, allowed five hits over five innings. He yielded three runs (two earned) while striking out five without a walk.

Campbell (3-1) scored twice in the top of the first but the Pirates answered with four runs in the bottom of the first.

ECU loaded the bases in its opening turn at the plate on singles by Garrett Brooks and Drew Reynolds and a walk to Zach Houchins.

Ian Townsend tied the score with a two-run double. Ben Fultz reached on an error that allowed Houchins to come home with the go-ahead run. Travis Watkins had an RBI single off the leg of Camels starter Bobby Thorson for a 4-2 ECU lead.

Reynolds had a two-out double in the second and scored on a single to right by Townsend.

The Pirates added another run after a two-out double by Bryce Harman in the third as Kirk Morgan delivered an RBI single for a 6-2 advantage for the Pirates.

Campbell pulled within 6-3 in the fourth on a double by Matt Nadolski and an RBI single by Clayton Brown.

Houchins started ECU's two-run fourth with a one-out single to center. Houchins stole second before Campbell pulled Thorson for Ryan Koopman after a two-out walk to Fultz.

Fultz went to second on a wild pitch before Dylan Brown drew a walk.

Watkins' single up the middle brought in two runs for an 8-3 Pirates lead.

Nick Durazo pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Kirkpatrick. He allowed four hits and fanned three without a walk.

Drew Reynolds checked the Camels in the ninth, recording a whiff to end the game.

Campbell had won four of its previous six matchups with the diamond Bucs.

Townsend finished with three hits and three RBIs as ECU collected 14 hits. Watkins had a pair of hits and three RBIs. Scoring two runs each were Reynolds, Houchins and Fultz.

The Pirates (3-1) start a 3-game series at Virginia at 3 p.m. Friday.

PAGE UPDATED 02/18/14 10:39 PM.

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