Bearcats Avoid Sweep, 4-3
March 29, 2003 | Baseball
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- East Carolina scored the game's first two runs, but was unable to hold off Cincinnati as the Bearcats rallied to down the Pirates, 4-3, in game two of a doubleheader here Saturday night. The Pirates won the first game of the doubleheader earlier today, 8-4.
The game remained scoreless through three and one-half innings before the Pirates (18-10-1, 6-3 CUSA) put two runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Ryan Jones reached on an error to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a single through the right side by Darryl Lawhorn. Lawhorn was caught stealing to erase one base runner, then Ryan Norwood lifted a sacrifice fly to center that allowed Jones to score. Jake Smith followed with a solo home run, his fifth of the season.
Cincinnati (8-17, 2-7 CUSA) took the lead in the top half of the fifth as it put a three spot on the board. Drew Saylor delivered a two-out, two-run double and then scored on an RBI-double by Brad Schutz. Saylor added an insurance run with a solo home run in the eighth.
Norwood hit a two-out solo home run in the ninth to bring ECU within a run, but it was unable to complete the comeback.
Will Brinson (1-1) made his sixth start of the season and struck out eight batters in 5.2 innings before being removed in favor of Greg Bunn. Brinson gave up three runs on six hits, while walking two. Bunn worked 3.1 innings, struck out five and gave up one run.
Nate Bouldin (4-2) got the start for Cincinnati and tossed 8.2 innings and allowed just two hits in his final 5.2 innings pitched. Rob Reel earned his first save of the season, striking out John Poppert to end the game.
The Pirates return to action Wednesday, April 2 against Duke. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at Harrington Field.
