Reinheimer, Brandt, Merritt stand out

From electronic and staff reports
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Jack Reinheimer played a part in four of East Carolina's runs while Kevin Brandt and Tanner Merritt combined for an effective mound performance as the Pirates earned a 5-2 Conference USA victory over Memphis Friday night at FedExPark.

Reinheimer was 3-for-4, including a two-run, second-inning double that gave East Carolina a 2-0 working margin. The sophomore shortstop also scored a pair of runs after banging out singles in the seventh and ninth innings.

Junior outfielder Jay Cannon had a pair of hits for the Pirates and senior second baseman Tim Younger and sophomore designated hitter Drew Reynolds each contributed a hit and an RBI.

A two-base throwing error opened the door for the Tigers to score an unearned run in the bottom of the second. Memphis scratched out the tying run in the third after an infield single by shortstop Ethan Gross was followed by a bunt, a walk and a shortstop-to-second-to-first double-play that allowed Gross to cross the plate.

After that, ECU starter Brandt, a senior lefthander, kept the Tigers off the scoreboard until giving way to Merritt with one out in the seventh. Brandt (5-2) scattered six hits and walked two during his 6 1/3-inning stint. He got credit for the win, turning the pitching chores over to Merritt with a 4-2 lead.

A sophomore righthander, Merritt picked up his sixth save after taming the Tigers on one hit over the final 2 2/3 innings.

Memphis left five runners stranded on third base during the first seven innings.

The Pirates committed three errors and the Tigers were guilty of two.

The series between the teams continues with a 3 p.m. game on Saturday and concludes with a 1 p.m. matchup on Sunday.

PAGE UPDATED 04/14/12 03:23 AM.

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