SAN ANTONIO — East Carolina overcame a 5-0 deficit to lead Texas-San Antonio, 7-5, before the Roadrunners took the deciding game in the American Conference series with an 8-7 walk-off win in the 10th inning on Sunday.
The Pirates got five runs in the seventh inning to tie the score at 5, then added single runs in the eighth and ninth for a 7-5 advantage.
UTSA tied the score in the bottom of the ninth and took the win on Caden Miller’s RBI single in the 10th.
ECU slipped to 16-12-1 overall and 3-3 in league play. UTSA (20-8, 4-2 American) won the series, 2-1.
The Roadrunners took a 1-0 lead in the second when a run scored on a ground out by Jordan Ballin. The hosts added two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth.
UTSA got a run in the fourth on an RBI single by Ballin and another run on a double steal. Jacob Silva hit a 2-run homer in the fifth.
ECU got on the board when Davin Whitaker was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. A 2-run single by pinch hitter Michael Kalinich drew the Pirates within 5-3 with two out.
The big frame continued with Whitaker coming home on a throwing error. An RBI double by Braden Burress tied the score at 5.
ECU took the lead at 6-5 in the eighth when a triple by Colby Wallace to the left field corner scored Jack Herring. Jeff Sabater scored on a ground out by Grady Lanahan in the ninth.
Lane Haworth singled through the right side to bring in two runs with two out in the bottom of the ninth.
Wallace and Burress each had two hits as the Pirates collected seven total.
ECU begins a 5-game homestand when UNC Wilmington (18-9) visits on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Two series into the conference schedule, and the Pirates can sum up the season to this point with one word – inconsistency. What proved to be a solid pitching performance on Friday gave way to pitching collapses on Saturday and Sunday. Considering the Pirates had scored just four runs through 18 innings, they were extremely lucky to have a chance at the series win on Sunday. The offense remained idle for 6 innings. Finally, in the 7th, the Pirates took advantage of some huge gifts by UTSA pitching/defense to eventually tie the game, and later take the lead. Unfortunately, the pitching failed once more. If GVK doesn’t come back soon, the Pirates better find someone who can give them 6/7 innings of decent pitching on Saturday. Pitching by committee on Saturday, Sunday, and midweek games will prove difficult, if not disastrous.
It appears that many Pirate at-bats are characterized by called strikes, at a time when the bats should be active. You may not like what the umpire is calling, but you need to adapt to the strike zone being called. Whatever offensive philosophy is being used, it needs to be flexible enough to adapt to the current need.
The Pirates need to hit their stride, and fast. 29 games into the season, and they are just 4 games above .500. I’m hoping for the best, but realistically, it’s not promising.