GREENVILLE — Connor Norby was the offensive leader for East Carolina on Saturday in a 7-1 series-clinching win over Rhode Island at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
Norby had three hits, including a double, with four RBIs as the Pirates improved to 2-0.
ECU looks to sweep the Rams in a Sunday matchup scheduled for 1 p.m.
Jake Kuchmaner (1-0) started on the mound for ECU and turned in five scoreless innings. The junior lefty allowed two hits while striking out three without a walk.
ECU went ahead to stay in the bottom of the first inning after Bryson Worrell drew a leadoff walk. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lane Hoover and scored on a single through the left side by Thomas Francisco.
A walk to Zach Agnos moved Francisco to second. Francisco scored for a 2-0 lead on a single into left by Norby.
Seth Caddell homered to left in the fifth for a 3-0 ECU lead.
The Rams (0-2) pulled within 3-1 on an unearned run in the sixth.
Ryley Johnson reached on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the sixth and stole second. Alec Makarewicz was hit by a pitch. Johnson moved to third on a fly to center by Ryder Giles and scored to put the Pirates ahead, 4-1, as Makarewicz was caught stealing second.
Norby’s double to right-center in the seventh brought in Francisco, Caddell and Hoover to close the scoring.
Cam Colmore, Tryston Kimmell and Nick Logusch pitched in relief for ECU.
Coach Godwin has done a tremendous job of building a program. These kids are students, citizens and athletes in that order. Coach Godwin is proof that program can be really successful in all areas. Great job Coach!!!