GREENVILLE — East Carolina left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth in a 4-3 loss to Xavier in the season opener on Friday.

The Musketeers never trailed after a 2-run homer by Landon Mensik in the top of the first.

The Pirates tied the score with lone runs in the fifth and sixth.

Xavier scored a pair of runs in the eighth.

Jack Herring homered for ECU in the ninth.

Pinch hitter Davin Whitaker and Austin Irby drew walks after Herring’s blast. A ground out by Carlos Jacome put runners at second and third with two out. Grady Lanahan was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Musketeers junior right-hander Owen Poole got Jeff Sabater looking to end the game.

Pirates coach Cliff Godwin credited the visitors for their fast start against ECU ace left-hander Ethan Norby. Godwin cited the number of free bases allowed and a lack of timely hitting as factors.

The Pirates pulled within 2-1 in the fifth on back to back doubles by Braden Burress and Herring. ECU tied the score in the sixth when Lanahan walked and later scored on a throwing error.

Norby, Sean Jenkins and Joe Webb combined for 10 strikeouts.

Four of the Pirates’ five hits were doubles as Irby and Sabater also had 2-baggers.

Xavier had a 9-5 lead in hits.

ECU had three errors and left 13 runners on base.

Karter Muck was credited with the win and Webb was charged with the loss. Poole got the save.

The Musketeers’ runs in the eighth came after Josh Stonehouse was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Mensik singled through the right side and Tanner Thomas moved the runners up with a sacrifice bunt.

Peter Johnson’s ground out to second brought in the go-ahead run and Mensik came home on a wild pitch.

Mensik finished with two runs, two hits and two RBIs.

With rain in the forecast for Sunday, a doubleheader has been scheduled for Saturday. The first game will be at 12:30 p.m. and the second game will start 45 minutes after the completion of the first game.