GREENVILLE — For the second straight game, a 5-run third inning proved decisive for East Carolina as the Pirates clinched a series victory over visiting Virginia Commonwealth with a 7-5 win on Saturday at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
ECU (14-10) seeks to sweep the Rams (11-10) on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Ryan McCrystal started the big inning for the Pirates with a single through the right side. Joey Rezek came in as a pinch runner. Joey Berini reached on a fielder’s choice that put runners at first and second before a bunt single by Bryson Worrell loaded the bases.
ECU went ahead to stay on a 2-run single by Lane Hoover. Jacob Jenkins-Cowart followed with a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.
Alec Makarewicz had a single before Josh Moylan drove in two runs with a base hit to right for a 5-0 lead.
The Pirates added a pair of unearned runs in the fourth.
Connor Hujsak had a solo homer for the Rams in the sixth and a run-scoring double in the eighth.
Tyler Locklear had a 3-run homer for VCU in the ninth.
Ryder Giles (1-0) started and held the Rams scoreless for four innings to earn the win.
Hoover and Moylan each had two hits and two RBIs for ECU, which extended its winning streak to four.
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