Changed call boosts Pack past Pirates

Staff report
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RALEIGH — East Carolina's recent search for offense continued with a 6-1 loss at N.C. State on Monday night.

Since beating the Wolfpack 15-3 in Greenville six nights earlier, the Pirates have managed just eight runs in five games, going 2-3 in those contests.

NCSU (29-11) evened the season series with the help of a three-run home run by Evan Mendoza in the second inning that was initially ruled a foul ball.

Replays appeared to show the ball landing well to the left of the left field foul pole.

The disputed blast gave the Wolfpack a 4-1 lead and ECU coach Cliff Godwin promptly pulled starter Nick Durazo (1-1).

Chris Holba came in for four innings, allowing one run in the sixth. He allowed two hits and two walks while striking out two.

Sam Lanier yielded one hit and struck one in two-thirds of an inning.

Matt Bridges tossed the last two innings, giving up an unearned run in the eighth. He walked one and struck out three.

ECU (26-15) took a 1-0 lead in the second after Travis Watkins led off with a single and went to second on a wild pitch by Ryan Williamson (7-1), normally a weekend starter.

Luke Bolka walked before Watkins went to third on a double play. Turner Brown's RBI single up the middle gave the Pirates the lead.

Watkins and Charlie Yorgen had two hits apiece for ECU, which outhit the Pack, 8-6. Yorgen had a double but was among nine runners stranded by the Pirates. State left six on base.

ECU will be at home this weekend for a three-game American Athletic Conference series with league-leading Cincinnati that starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

PAGE UPDATED 04/26/16 01:28 AM.

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