ECU Holds Off Bearcats for 8-4 Baseball Win
March 29, 2003 | Baseball
GREENVILLE, N.C. --- East Carolina hit three home runs and held off a pesky Bearcat comeback as the Pirates defeated Cincinnati, 8-4, in the first game of a day-night doubleheader here Saturday afternoon.
The Pirates jumped out on top with three runs in the first as each of the first three batters reached based. Following a leadoff walk to Jamie Paige and a single by Ryan Jones, Darryl Lawhorn singled to plate the first run. John Poppert followed with a one-out infield hit to load the bases. Mark Minicozzi then singled to center to drive in Jones and then Lawhorn scored on a ground out.
After going quietly in the second, Lawhorn led off the third with his eighth home run of the season. Lawhorn and Poppert each finished the game with two hits and two RBI.
Cincinnati (7-17, 1-7 CUSA) broke through with a run in the fourth, but the Pirates got that run back in the fifth as Paige hit his first home run of the season.
The Bearcats proceeded to cut back into the Pirates' four-run lead by plating three runs in sixth. Drew Saylor drove in run with a double and Steve Pickerell followed Saylor with a two-run home run.
ECU (18-9-1, 6-2 CUSA) pushed its lead back to three runs with a three-run eighth inning. Ryan Norwood delivered a one-out RBI single. Poppert then followed with his second home run in as many days to plate the Pirates' seventh and eighth runs of the game.
"Poppert has really come on strong the last couple of weeks," said Pirate head coach Randy Mazey. "He's been in the lineup everyday and that helps with his consistency. We need somebody in the bottom of the lineup who can step up and he's been the guy."
Senior right-handed pitcher Neal Sears (2-2) picked up the victory with four strikeouts in six innings of work. Kyle Markle (0-7) was unable to get out of the first inning and suffered the loss. Glenn Tucker picked up his second save of the year, holding the Bearcats scoreless over the final two innings.
Game two of the doubleheader is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight.
