MEMPHIS — A ninth-inning rally with two out proved to be too little, too late as Memphis downed East Carolina, 9-4, on Sunday to take the American Conference series, 2-1.
The Pirates (29-19-1, 13-8 American) remained without a series road win this season while the Tigers (18-28, 10-11) prevailed in a series with ECU for the first time since 2015.
The Pirates are two games behind Texas-San Antonio in the league standings after the Roadrunners swept visiting Wichita State to improve to 15-6 in the American. Alabama-Birmingham (12-9) is third.
ECU scored first and last on Sunday, but Memphis took the lead for keeps with a 3-run third that was highlighted by a 2-run homer by Freddy Rodriguez.
The Tigers added two runs in the fourth on a run-scoring single by Marcus Smith and an RBI double by Trae Cassidy.
A 3-run homer by Shane Cox extended the lead to 8-1 in the sixth.
Rodriguez had an RBI ground out in the eighth.
The Pirates took a 1-0 lead in the first after leadoff batter Braden Burress reached on an error. He moved to second on a ground out by Jack Herring. Davin Whitaker singled through the left side to bring in Burress.
Memphis avoided damage with two strikeouts after the visitors had loaded the bases with one out in the second.
ECU scored three runs with two away in its last turn at the plate.
Brayden Bachman led off with a single before a strikeout and a fly out. Austin Irby reached on an error before Burress had an RBI single to center.
Herring drove in two runs with a single to center. Herring moved to second on defensive indifference and Whitaker walked.
The rally ended as Memphis center fielder Michael Gupton laid out for a catch at the warning track on a drive by Colby Wallace.
Herring and Irby each had two hits for the Pirates.
Starter Seth Garner (1-5) wet four innings for his first win. Logan Rushing pitched three scoreless innings. Davis Oswalt threw the last two frames.
Joe Webb (6-4) started for ECU and went three and one-third innings, taking the loss.
The Pirates do not have a midweek game before resuming American play on Friday at 6 p.m. at home against Rice (29-20, 11-10). The game is scheduled to be shown on ESPN+.
It’s very simple, the Pirates have too many problems to finish the season strong. Pitching injuries have haunted the Pirates season, and aren’t going away. Occasional defensive lapses place more pressure on the fragile pitching. Throw in the sporadic performance of ECU batters and you have an almost insurmountable hill to climb. At a time in the season where teams must put the pedal to the metal, the Pirates have trouble merely keeping the engine running. Last year’s magic at the AC Tourney will have to be repeated if the Pirates are to make the NCAA baseball tournament. I don’t see that happening. I hope I’m wrong.
Maybe Cliffs best coaching yet. Injuries, young talent. Hes one of best coaches in the country. His love for Keith Leclaire and ECU has kept him here. He’s had many $$$$ chances. He’s a better teacher than coach. The men that go through his program are qualified to be my son in law!