HOUSTON — Cameron Nickens had an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to complete a Houston comeback and give the Cougars a 5-4 win over East Carolina on Friday night in the American Athletic Conference opener for both clubs.
Alex Lopez led off Houston’s half of the 10th with a double to left center after the No. 8 Pirates had left the bases loaded in the top of the frame. Nickens connected with a 2-2 offering from Tyler Bradt (0-1).
ECU (19-7) lost consecutive games for the first time this season after leading 4-2 going into the bottom of the ninth.
Malachi Lott doubled to bring in the tying run.
Josh Moylan had a 2-run homer for a 2-1 Pirates lead in the fourth.
The Pirates pushed the advantage to 3-1 in the sixth when Ryan McCrystal singled to bring in Luke Nowak.
Carter Cunningham had a sacrifice fly for ECU in the seventh after a triple by Ryley Johnson for a 4-2 lead.
Jacob Jenkins-Cowart had two hits with a double and a run for the Pirates. Johnson had two hits and a run.
Trey Yesavage started for the Pirates and had 13 strikeouts in six innings.
Justin Murray went the last three and one-third innings for the win in relief for the Cougars (13-13).
Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
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