Pirates repeat history, beat Heels

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Audio: Godwin & players post-game...

GREENVILLE  — East Carolina's last win over North Carolina before Tuesday night was on April 22, 2009, when Kevin Brandt pitched eight and one-third innings of a 4-0 ECU victory when the Tar Heels were ranked No. 1 nationally.

The Pirates took a 3-2 win over their in-state foes before 4,307 at Clark-LeClair Stadium five years to the day after that triumph as Ryan Williams recorded his nation-leading 10th win and Zach Houchins went 4-for-4 with a run scored.

"The guys battled all day," said Williams, who went four and one-third innings and recorded his fourth strikeout to close the game with two runners aboard.

Drew Reynolds singled for ECU in the third and went to third on a double by Houchins. A wild pitch allowed the Pirates (25-17) to take a 1-0 lead.

Landon Lassiter's homer in the top of the fifth tied the score at 1.

Back-to-back doubles by Houchins and Ian Townsend gave ECU a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the fifth.

ECU extended its lead to 3-1 in the eighth after Bryce Harman led off with a single. Ben Fultz was brought in to pinch run. Charlie Yorgen had an infield single to put runners at first and second.

A sacrifice bunt by Garrett Brooks moved the runners to second and third. Hunter Allen had an RBI single to bring Fultz in before Yorgen was thrown out at the plate.

North Carolina (23-18) scored once in the ninth on an RBI single by Wood Myers.

"There was a lot of excitement in the last inning," said Pirates coach Billy Godwin. "Our guys have shown a lot of resilience."

Left-hander Reid Love started for the Pirates and went four and two-thirds innings, allowing one earned run.

Reynolds was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Allen was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

ECU outhit the visitors, 11-9.

The Pirates visit Florida Atlantic for a three-game Conference USA series that starts Friday at 6:30 p.m.

PAGE UPDATED 04/23/14 09:30 PM.

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