Pirates storm back, douse Blazers

From electronic and staff reports
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After trailing 6-2 going into the bottom of the sixth, East Carolina's bats came alive over the final three frames to produce an 11-2 Conference USA victory over UAB Friday night at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Relief pitchers Dylan Dickens and Merritt Tanner shut down the Blazers over the final 5 2/3 innings, giving the Pirates a chance to dig out of the early deficit.

Dickens (1-0), a freshman righthander, hurled four innings of three-hit, shutout ball and got credit for the win. Tanner, a sophomore righthander, retired all five batters he faced to close out the victory and earn his fourth save.

The Blazers jumped on ECU starter Kevin Brandt, a senior southpaw, for eight hits and five runs in the first three innings. Reliever Dario Santangelo, a freshman righthander, met his fate even more quickly, surrendering a walk, two singles and a run in 1/3 inning before giving way to Dickens.

Junior outfielder Jay Cannon, senior second baseman Tim Younger and junior outfielder/first baseman John Wooten provided the offensive highlights for the Pirates. Cannon was 4-for-5 and scored three runs, while Younger was 3-for-4 with four RBIs and Wooten was 2-for-5 with a home run.

John Frost wielded his bat effectively to pace UAB to its early lead. The junior first baseman was 3-for-5 on the day, including a homer and a pair of RBIs.

Reliever Dylan Munger (2-3), a freshman lefthander, took the loss for the Blazers after being battered for six hits, three walks and six runs during the seventh and eighth innings.

The game got underway two hours later than its scheduled 6 p.m. start time because of rain. The three-game set between the teams continues on Saturday (2 p.m.) and concludes on Sunday (10:30 a.m.).

PAGE UPDATED 03/31/12 03:39 AM.

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