Diamond Pirates Fall In Series Opener Against Charlotte
March 21, 2003 | Baseball
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- Ryan Jones and Jake Smith each collected a pair of hits, but Charlotte out-slugged and out scored East Carolina to take game one of a three-game Conference USA series, 5-2, here Friday night. The 49ers out-hit ECU, 9-7.
With the loss, East Carolina falls to 14-7-1 overall and 2-2 in Conference USA, while Charlotte improves to 7-9 overall and 1-2 in league play.
"When you struggle offensively, you have work your way through it," said Pirate head coach Randy Mazey. "We have to keep swinging the bat and eventually something good will happen."
Pirate starter Neal Sears tied his career-high with seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings, but allowed five hits. Sears' fourth inning troubles proved to be the deciding factor in game. One hit batter, two base on balls and a pair of base hits plated three Charlotte runs in the fourth.
The first three batters reached without getting a hit, then Brian Scafe singled to drive in the runner from third. Jamie Rusco followed with a single through the middle to drive in two more runs.
Sophomore Ryan Norwood's fourth inning home run, his second in as many games, brought the Pirates within two runs.
Thomas Bowker answered with a two-run home run in the seventh to give Charlotte a 5-1 lead over East Carolina. Bowker drove in a two runs and scored twice on the night.
The Pirates added a second run in the eighth. Jones led off the frame with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a 49er error.
ECU sophomore Darryl Lawhorn didn't play in the game as he was serving a one-game suspension for violating team rules.
Zachary Taylor (2-2) scattered seven hits over seven innings and fanned eight batters to record his second win of the season.
The two teams resume their three games with game two Saturday at 6 p.m. The Pirates will send junior Ashley Capps (3-1) to the mound, while Charlotte will counter with freshman Julian Sides (1-1).
