GREENVILLE — Alec Makarewicz was at it again as East Carolina opened its 2021 American Athletic Conference schedule with a 5-4 win over Cincinnati on Thursday at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
Makarewicz, who hit a game-tying home run and a game-winning RBI single in an 11-10 win over North Carolina on Tuesday night, had a 2-run homer to left for a 5-4 lead against the Bearcats in the seventh inning
Relievers Garrett Saylor and Ryder Giles protected the one-run advantage as the No. 11 Pirates improved to 19-5 overall.
Saylor (2-0) pitched four perfect innings with eight strikeouts after coming in for starter Carson Whisenhunt in the fifth with none out and two runners on base. Saylor struck out three in a row to subdue the threat.
Giles retired the Bearcats (11-11) in order in the ninth.
Josh Moylan and Makarewicz had RBI singles in the first inning for a 2-0 lead.
Down 4-2 going to the bottom of the seventh, ECU got a one-out walk to Thomas Francisco, who moved to second on a wild pitch. Seth Caddell doubled to score Francisco before Makarewicz hit his fourth homer of the season.
The four-game set continues Friday with game two at 4 p.m.
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