Slam boosts Pirates over UNCG

By Al Myatt
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GREENVILLE — For the second time is as many days, a sixth-inning grand slam was pivotal for East Carolina.

This time, it was the Pirates who benefitted from a bases-loaded blast in an 8-1 win over UNC-Greensboro at Clark-LeClair Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

After losing a 3-0 lead at home on Tuesday night against Campbell and yielding a fence-clearing drive with the sacks filled in an eventual 9-4 setback, ECU's Travis Watkins belted his second home run of the season for four RBIs against the Spartans.

The blow came with two out in a seven-run sixth frame for the Pirates as they improved to 10-6.

UNCG (5-9) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third as a bunt single by Tyler Long scored Nick Chapman.

ECU got the run back in the bottom of the inning after Charlie Yorgen singled. He stole his way to third and came home on a sacrifice fly by Luke Lowery.

The Pirates' big inning started with a walk to Garrett Brooks, which was followed by a single through the right side by Jackson Mims. A single by Hunter Allen brought in the go-ahead run but Mims was out trying to take third. Parker Lamm grounded out to move Allen to third. Walks to Yorgen and Bryce Harman loaded the bases. A wild pitch allowed the runners to move up and provided ECU with a 3-1 lead.

The Spartans intentionally walked Lowery to reload the bases before changing pitchers. Eric Tyler drew a walk for a 4-1 lead before Watkins turned on a pitch and sent it into the jungle area down the left field line.

The Pirates' 12-hit attack included a pair of base knocks apiece from Yorgen, Harman, Watkins, Brooks and Mims. Jeff Nelson and Allen also had hits.

Kirk Morgan (3-0) pitched two and two-thirds innings in relief of starter Nick Durazo for the win. Morgan fanned four of the 10 batters he faced. He allowed one hit, no runs and didn't issue a walk.

Joe Ingle and Ross Gardner each tossed an inning to close out ECU's second win over the Spartans.

The Pirates have a three-game series at Elon beginning with a contest scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday.

PAGE UPDATED 04/08/15 02:38 AM.

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