Pirates take AAC opener

By Al Myatt
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Post-game audio: Godwin, Kruczynski, Harman, Lamm...

GREENVILLE —  Bryce Harman, Parker Lamm and Kirk Morgan had RBIs in support of winning pitcher Evan Kruczynski before Joe Ingle got his sixth save as East Carolina topped visiting Houston 3-1 in the American Athletic Conference opener for both clubs on Friday night.

A crowd of 2,603 converged on Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Kruczynski (4-0) scattered nine hits over seven innings as the Pirates (18-8) overcame an early 1-0 deficit. The Cougars had four hits in the top of the first but left the bases loaded after Justin Montemayor's single to right field scored Connor Wong.

A junior left-hander, Kruczynski walked one and struck out eight.

"I just wanted to give our team the best shot to win like I always do on Friday night," Kruczynski said. "Defense played great. Offense did their job."

Harman led off the bottom of the third with a home run off Andrew Lantrip (4-3) to tie the score. Lantrip pitched a complete game for the Cougars (16-9). He walked a pair and had four strikeouts.

Harman was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the fifth and Morgan walked. Harman advanced to third as Turner Brown hit into a fielder's choice that retired Morgan at second.

Harman scored for a 2-1 Pirates lead on a bunt single by Lamm.

Eric Tyler scored in the sixth after getting aboard on a fielder's choice as ECU went ahead, 3-1. Tyler moved to second on a throwing error by the catcher on a pickoff attempt. Harman was hit by a pitch again before Tyler scored on a single to right by Morgan.

Harman tried to score on the same play but was tagged out and ejected for an illegal slide at home. Harman will have to sit out the second game of the series at 4 p.m. today.

"They've got a new rule this year to protect catchers," said Pirates coach Cliff Godwin. "Your butt has to be in contact with the ground if you slide feet first. If you slide head first, your chest has to be in contact. If you slide late, which Bryce kind of did, and your butt didn't quite get down then it's an automatic ejection. ... We watched the video. Bryce was just playing hard. He's trying to score and do everything he can. Stuff happens. It was not malicious. Bryce wasn't trying to hurt the guy. He was just trying to slide hard."

Houston had a pair of hits to start the eighth, ending the night for Kruczynski. Ingle got a foul out on a bunt and a fly out to center before a walk loaded the bases. A fly to center ended the threat.

Ingle walked one, hit one batter and struck out one as he checked the Cougars without a hit over the last two frames.

Lamm went 2-for-4 as ECU had seven hits. Montemayor finished 3-for-4 for Houston.

PAGE UPDATED 05/16/16 09:32 PM.

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