Columbia upsets Pirates

By Al Myatt
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CORAL GABLES, FL — Third-seeded Columbia used a five-run sixth inning to upset second-seeded East Carolina 6-3 in the opening game of the NCAA regional hosted by Miami on Friday.

The Pirates (40-21) fell behind 1-0 as Jordan Serena of the Lions (32-15) led off the game with a home run to left center on a full count pitch from ECU starter Evan Kruczynski.

Three runs in the fourth gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead after Reid Love was hit by a pitch to start the frame. Kirk Morgan advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt before Luke Lowery walked. A grounder to second by Travis Watkins put runners at second and third.

Bryce Harman drew a walk to load the bases before Eric Tyler singled through the left side to score Love and Lowery for a 2-1 ECU lead.

An error on a ball hit by Garrett Brooks allowed Harman to score for a 3-1 Pirates advantage.

ECU helped Columbia's big inning with three walks, a wild pitch and an error before a two-run single by Joe Falcone put the Lions up, 6-3.

Nick Durazo, who won the American Athletic Tournament championship game, took the loss.

Hunter Allen, Charlie Yorgen, Morgan, Harman, Tyler and Brooks had hits for the Pirates, who face the loser of Friday night's Miami-Florida International game in an elimination contest today.

PAGE UPDATED 05/30/15 07:51 PM.

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