USF evens series with HR in 9th

Staff report
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Post-game audio: Cliff Godwin, Turner Brown, Joe Ingle...

GREENVILLE — Luke Borders hit a three-run homer in a four-run ninth inning for South Florida on Saturday for a 5-1 win over East Carolina that evened a best-of-three American Athletic Conference series at one win each.

The deciding game is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

The Bulls scored the first run with two out in the sixth. Kevin Merrell had an infield single and scored on a play at the plate on a single to center by Garrett Zech.

Turner Brown of the Pirates tied the score at 1 with a leadoff homer to right field in the bottom of the seventh.

Jimmy Boyd (6-4) pitched into the ninth inning for ECU (31-18-1, 12-7-1 AAC).

Boyd hit two batters with pitches with one out in the ninth before Joe Ingle came in.

Borders homered to right on a full-count pitch for a 4-1 USF lead.

Duke Stunkel had a double and came home on a single by Joe Genord for the final run of the game.

"Joe made a bad pitch and the guy (Borders) put a good swing on it," said Pirates coach Cliff Godwin. "The wind was blowing out to right. ... Jimmy was tremendous. I feel bad for him. Last night was so offensive."

ECU had season-high 17 hits in a 14-7 win over the Bulls on Friday night.

The Bulls (22-28, 7-13) outhit the Pirates, 7-5, on Saturday.

Brandon Lawson (5-4) went eight innings for USF. He allowed three hits while walking three and striking out six.

Tommy Eveld pitched the ninth for the visitors. He gave up two hits with one whiff.

PAGE UPDATED 05/16/16 09:38 PM.

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