GREENVILLE — Junior third baseman Connor Litton went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run in East Carolina’s five-run first inning as the Pirates completed a three-game, season-opening sweep of Western Carolina with a 9-3 win on Sunday.
Junior right-hander Chris Holba (1-0) was the first of six pitchers for ECU as he delivered four and two-thirds scoreless innings.
Holba allowed four hits while striking out eight without a walk.
ECU won 8-3 on Friday and 8-2 on Saturday.
“I thought we played well today (and all weekend) and I was impressed with our pitching staff and its depth,” said fourth-year Pirates coach Cliff Godwin. “We were able to jump out to an early lead again, getting five big runs. (Jake) Washer had a big two-RBI hit for us in that opening frame and Connor Litton’s 3-1 approach right afterwards was the shot we needed. It was good to get a bunch of guys some playing time this weekend, which will help with their confidence and development as the season goes along.”
Leadoff batter Dwanya Williams-Sutton went 2-for-5 and scored three runs.
Brady Lloyd went 2-for-4 and scored twice. Washer had two hits, two RBIs and scored a run. Bryant Packard had a hit and two RBIs. Alec Burleson had a hit and scored a run.
Andrew Bullock was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in the eighth to lead the Catamounts.
The succession of Pirate pitchers included Ryan Ross, Willy Strong, Austin Covers, Cole Beavin and Gavin Williams.
Ross, Covers and Beavers contributed scoreless stints.
ECU seized control in the bottom of the first inning after Williams-Sutton reached on an error. Burleson had a one-out single that put runners on the corners.
Spencer Brickhouse walked to load the bases. Washer had a two-out single to right field for a 2-0 Pirates lead.
A wild pitch allowed Washer to move to second before Litton homered to left to put ECU ahead, 5-0.
Four WCU errors contributed to six unearned runs for the Pirates.
ECU visits Campbell on Wednesday for a 5 p.m. game.
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