ECU Baseball: Pirates win Greenville Regional

East Carolina is two wins away from its first ever College World Series Appearance

The East Carolina Pirates (47-16) defied the odds and advanced through the loser’s bracket to win the Greenville Regional. The Pirates took both games against Campbell on Monday, rolling to a 10-3 win in the opener and winning a dogfight in a 12-3 win in the nightcap.

The Pirates eliminated all three teams in its Regional, starting with NC State and Quinnipiac on Sunday. East Carolina swept the Fighting Camels to advance to the Louisville Super Regional.

The Pirates entered the day needing to win twice and looked to be in trouble after falling behind 2-1. The Pirates scored in each of the first six innings, slowly putting the game out of reach from the Fighting Camels.

Game two started differently, as the Pirates jumped early and often on Campbell, jumping out to a 6-1 lead. The Pirates chased Campbell starting pitcher Phil Simpson after just 1.1 innings and never let off the gas pedal, scoring five runs in the 8th inning despite having a comfortable 7-3 lead.

Batting Report

On the final day of the year, with the season on the line, the Pirate offense responded with its best day of the year. The Pirates exploded for 22 runs, 24 hits, and walked eight times.

First baseman Spencer Brickhouse went 3-4 in game two, driving in four runs and scoring twice, blasting his 13th home run of year in the process.

Shortstop Turner Brown went 3-5, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Left fielder Bryant Packard also had an excellent game, going 2-4 and scoring a run.

ECU jumped out to a quick start in game two, scoring five runs (two unearned) before Campbell could blink. It was the opposite of game one, where the Camels took a 2-1 lead before the Pirates offense buried them.

Packard was the star of game one, going 3-4 with three RBI, three runs and a walk. Not only did Alec Burleson get the win on the mound but also drove in three runs on a 2-4 day. Catcher Jake Washer hit his first home run of the postseason.

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Pitching Report

Burleson (6-1) started game one, pitching five innings and dancing around seven hits and three walks.

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He was relieved after 99 pitches by Zach Barnes, who gave up a run and three hits while only recording one out. Cam Colmore pitched two perfect innings to calm things down and in total the bullpen pitched four innings and allowed only one run in a blowout game.

Jake Kuchmaner started game two and pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.

Ryder Giles struggled in his appearance, giving up two runs in 1.2 innings.

Key Moment

A throwing error in the second inning of game two allowed two unearned runs to score for ECU, pushing the Pirates lead to 4-0 and allowing the team to race out to an advantage it would never relinquish. The Camels had several opportunities to cut the deficit, but each time ECU pitchers were able to limit the damage.

What’s Next

The Louisville Cardinals, the No. 7 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. East Carolina is only two wins away from its first ever College World Series appearance.  Stay tuned to Old North Banter for in-depth previews and analysis of East Carolina’s run through the Louisville Regional.