TAMPA, FL — Bryant Packard’s second grand slam in as many games boosted East Carolina to a 5-1 win at South Florida on Sunday and an American Athletic Conference series sweep.
The No. 14 Pirates improved to 21-6 overall and 6-0 in the AAC with their ninth straight win. The Bulls fell to 12-14 and 1-5.
Thomas Francisco reached on an error to start the second and Brady Lloyd was hit by a pitch. With one out, Ryder Giles singled through the left side to load the bases.
Packard hit the next pitch from Dylan Burns (0-2) over the fence in left center for a 4-0 ECU lead.
Alec Burleson added a solo homer for the Pirates in the fifth for a 5-0 advantage.
Packard, Spencer Brickhouse and Burleson had two hits each for ECU.
Jake Kuchmaner (3-0) went five and one-third innings. He allowed four hits and was charged with an earned run while walking three and striking out six.
Cam Colmore yielded an RBI double by Tyler Dietrich and a walk after coming in for Kuchmaner before coach Cliff Godwin turned to Gavin Williams, who finished the game for his first save. Williams gave up one hit and one walk while fanning eight over the last three and two-thirds innings.
The last loss for the Pirates was to Duke, 7-2, on March 12, at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. ECU hosts the Blue Devils (14-14) on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Duke is 2-9 since its win over the Pirates.
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