ELON — A 2-run homer by Nick Cicci in the bottom of the fourth inning gave Elon a 2-1 win over East Carolina on Saturday.
The Pirates (17-5) had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Alec Makarewicz doubled to left center on a full count pitch with two out to score Seth Caddell, who had doubled to left with one away.
A strikeout, one of eight in five innings by Phoenix starter Spencer Bauer (1-1), stranded Makarewicz. Brian Edgington fanned six over the last four innings to pick up his first save.
ECU’s lead lasted two pitches as Cole Reynolds singled to right and Cicci homered to left off Jake Kuchmaner (2-1).
The Pirates got singles from Thomas Francisco and Josh Moylan to start the sixth but two fly outs sandwiched around a whiff stopped the threat.
Makarewicz singled up the middle with one out in the ninth but his pinch runner was caught stealing after another strikeout to end the game.
ECU had beaten Elon, 15-0, on Friday night to open the 2-game series that was scheduled after St. John’s bowed out of a 3-game weekend set in Greenville due to COVID protocols.
The Phoenix improved to 6-10 with the split against East Carolina, which entered the week ranked No. 8 in multiple polls.
The visitors had a 7-5 lead in hits. C.J. Mayhue pitched a pair of hitless innings out of the pen with three strikeouts.
The Pirates are scheduled to host North Carolina on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Tar Heels downed ECU, 8-1, in Chapel Hill on March 23.
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