MEMPHIS — Home runs from Joey Berini, Jacob Starling, Ryan McCrystal and Dixon Williams helped power No. 7 East Carolina to a 14-3 series-clinching American Athletic Conference win at Memphis on Saturday.

The Pirates moved to 34-8 overall and 13-4 in league play. ECU took sole possession of first place in the AAC standings on Friday night with Texas San Antonio’s 9-8 loss in 10 innings at Rice.

The Owls topped the Roadrunners (24-18, 11-6 AAC) again, 9-3, on Saturday to give the Pirates a 2-game lead going into the final game of the series with the Tigers (18-25, 6-11) on Sunday at 2 p.m

Berini’s 2-run blast started an 8-run fourth inning for ECU on Saturday to provide a 10-2 lead.

Starling hit a 3-run homer in the fourth.

McCrystal hit a solo homer in the eighth and Williams belted a solo shot in the ninth.

Bristol Carter went 4-for-5 as the Pirates collected 20 hits. Williams had three hits. Getting two hits each were Ryley Johnson with a double, Carter Cunningham, Starling (five RBIs,) and Justin Wilcoxen.

Danny Beal (4-2) pitched six innings of relief for the win. He allowed five hits, one run (earned) and no walks while striking out five.

The Pirates have won seven in a row while Memphis has dropped seven straight.