GREENVILLE — East Carolina struck for eight runs in the first inning and went on to a 12-1 win over La Salle on Sunday at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
The visiting Explorers issued four walks, hit two batters and committed an error in the opening frame. Eric Tyler had both Pirate hits in the bottom of the first on a bunt and a 2-run single to right that provided an 8-0 lead.
The big start helped ECU freshman right-hander Trey Benton (1-0) to his first collegiate victory. Benton had 10 strikeouts in five scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and walked three.
Tyler Smith, Hunter Hood, West Covington, Davis Kirkpatrick and Ryan Ross also had mound stints for the Pirates (4-3).
Five La Salle pitchers combined to yield 10 walks as ECU had six hits.
Tyler was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Tyler and Luke Bolka had sacrifice flies as the Pirates pushed the lead to 10-0 in the third.
Charlie Yorgen scored on a La Salle throwing error in the fifth after walking and stealing second. Yorgen walked twice and scored three runs.
Two ECU errors contributed to an unearned run for La Salle (0-7) in the sixth.
Zack Moore walked in the bottom of the sixth, moved to third on a double by Spencer Brickhouse and scored on a ground out to second by Kirk Morgan.
The Pirates host Elon (3-4) on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Clemson completed a three-game sweep of the visiting Phoenix on Sunday. Elon hosts Liberty on Tuesday.
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