Pirates erupt to overcome South Florida

Staff report
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Post-game audio: Cliff Godwin, Garrett Brooks, Evan Kruczynski...

GREENVILLE — East Carolina scored nine runs in the sixth inning in defeating South Florida 14-7 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game American Athletic Conference series.

The Pirates improved to 31-17-1 overall and 12-6-1 in the AAC going into a 4 p.m. game today with the Bulls (21-28, 6-13).

After USF scored three runs in the top of the sixth for a 7-2 lead, ECU's big inning produced an 11-7 advantage.

Garrett Brooks led off the decisive frame with a double down the right field line. Kirk Morgan followed with a single that moved Brooks to third. Wes Phillips came in to run for Morgan.

Parker Lamm singled to score Brooks. Charlie Yorgen had an RBI single up the middle. Eric Tyler singled to score Lamm and draw ECU within 7-5.

The Bulls pulled starter Phoenix Sanders for left-hander Andrew Perez (1-5) at that point.

Yorgen advanced to third and Tyler moved to second on a wild pitch before Bryce Harman walked to load the bases.

Travis Watkins walked after trailing 0-2 in the count to force in a run. An RBI single by freshman Turner Brown tied the game at 7.

Freshman Dwanya Williams-Sutton drew a walk to bring in the go-ahead run. Brooks had an RBI single for a 9-7 Pirates lead.

A walk to Zack Mozingo forced in a run and Williams-Sutton came in on a ground out by Lamm to put ECU ahead 11-7.

The Pirates had seven hits in the big inning and outhit the Bulls, 17-15.

Mozingo had a solo homer in ECU's three-run eighth.

Brown finished 4-for-5. Lamm, Brooks, Watkins and Mozingo each drove in a pair of runs.

Luke Borders was 3-for-5 for USF with a two-run homer and three RBIs.

Matt Bridges (2-0) was the pitcher of record when the Pirates erupted. Davis Kirkpatrick held the Bulls scoreless in the ninth, allowing one hit, a hit batter and one walk while striking out two.

Junior left-hander Evan Kruczynski started but lacked his usual effectiveness.

"The offense deserved to pick him up after how good he's been all year," said ECU coach Cliff Godwin.

Nine runs in an inning was a season high for the Pirates. ECU's hit total was also a team best for 2016.

PAGE UPDATED 05/14/16 02:31 PM.

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