CINCINNATI — East Carolina scored six runs in the fifth inning Sunday to complete an American Athletic Conference sweep at Cincinnati with a 6-2 win.
The Pirates, ranked as high as No. 8 nationally, improved to 36-11 overall and 16-2 in league play. ECU has won 10 of its last 11 games.
The Bearcats (22-25, 11-10 AAC) led 2-0 before Turner Brown singled to right to start the fifth. Thomas Francisco walked before a sacrifice bunt by Brady Lloyd moved the runners to second and third. Ryder Giles had a sacrifice fly to left to cut the lead to 2-1. Bryant Packard was intentionally walked before Lane Hoover had an RBI single to tie the score at 2.
Spencer Brickhouse had a 2-run single through the left side for a 4-2 lead. Alec Burleson hit a 2-run homer to right to push the advantage to 6-2.
Burleson went 3-for-4 with two doubles in addition to his sixth home run of the season. Brickhouse was 3-for-5. Brown went 2-for-3 with a double. Hoover finished 2-for-4.
Tyler Smith (6-0) started and pitched six innings for the Pirates. He allowed five hits and two runs (both earned) while walking one and striking out eight. Cam Colmore and Evan Voliva held the hosts scoreless in relief stints.
ECU visits North Carolina on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
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