Pirates rally to take series

From electronic and staff reports
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HOUSTON  — East Carolina was down to its last strike and trailed Rice 1-0 in the deciding game of a Conference USA series on Sunday afternoon before coming back for a 2-1 win.

A two-out double in the top of the ninth by Ian Townsend gave the Pirates hope and wheels began to turn.

Ben Fultz came in to pinch run. Bryce Harman pinch hit for Luke Lowery.

ECU coach Billy Godwin called time after Harman fell behind in the count, 0-2, and talked to the big left-handed hitter.

Harman worked his way on base with a walk. A wild pitch while Harman was batting allowed Fultz to move to third. Joshua Lovick was sent in to run for Harman.

Dylan Brown sent a ball to deep right for a double that scored Fultz to tie the score.

The Owls, ranked No. 14 in a composite poll, relieved Matt Ditman with Kevin McCanna and intentionally walked Pirate freshman Charlie Yorgen. A single by Eric Tyler brought Lovick in with the go-ahead run. Brown was out at home as the play continued.

Ryan Williams, who improved to 9-1, pitched the final four and two-thirds innings after a solid start by David Lucroy. Williams hit a batter in the bottom of the ninth but a game-ending double play gave the Pirates a two to one edge for the series.

Williams scattered three hits and struck out two.

Lucroy surrendered three hits while walking two and striking out two.

Rice (22-12, 10-5 C-USA) scored its run in the third inning after a leadoff double by Michael Aquino. A sacrifice bunt by John Williamson moved him to third and Keenan Cook's triple gave the Owls a 1-0 lead. Lucroy stranded Cook with a ground out to third and a fly to left center.

Townsend was 2-for-4 as the Pirates outhit their hosts, 7-6.

The teams were idled by an hour-plus rain delay in the fifth.

ECU (19-13, 8-4) hosts N.C. State on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

PAGE UPDATED 04/07/14 06:59 AM.

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