Cavs top ECU, 3-2

From electronic and staff reports
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Brandon Downes hit a pair of solo home runs to lift host Virginia to a 3-2 baseball win over East Carolina in the start of a three-game series Friday.

The Pirates took a 2-1 lead over the top-ranked Cavaliers (4-1) on a two-run single by Zach Houchins in the top of the third after Downes' first round tripper had given Virginia a 1-0 lead in the second.

A two-out walk to Branden Cogswell and a wild pitch that moved him to second allowed Cogswell to score the tying run for the Cavs in the bottom of the third on a double by Mike Papi.

Downes hit the game winner on a full count pitch to start UVa's half of the sixth.

ECU starter Jeff Hoffman went 6 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits and three runs, all earned. Hoffman struck out six and walked three.

Ryan Williams allowed one hit over the last 1 1/3.

Nathan Kirby went 6 1/3 innings for the win. He allowed four hits and two runs, both earned. He walked two and had three strikeouts. Whit Mayberry and Nick Howard finished on the mound for Virginia. Mayberry faced the minimum of five batters in a 1 2/3 innings stint. Howard retired the Pirates in order in the ninth for the save.

ECU (3-2) will send left-hander Reid Love to the mound today in a matchup with Cavaliers right-hander Josh Sborz. Game time is 1 p.m.

PAGE UPDATED 02/21/14 11:47 PM.

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