Pirates Unable To Rally From Large Deficit
April 16, 2003 | Baseball
GREENVILLE, N.C. ? East Carolina mounted a late inning rally, but was unable to overcome an eight-run deficit and fell to North Carolina, 8-4, here Wednesday night.
The Tar Heels scored four runs on two home runs in the fourth inning to seize control of the game. Jeremy Cleveland led off the frame with solo home run, his 12th of the season. Sean Farrell and Sammy Hewitt followed with back-to-back singles before catcher Chris Ianetta blasted a three-run shot.
UNC (28-11) added another run in the fifth and two more in seventh to claim an 8-0 lead. Chad Prosser got the scoring started for the Tar Heels with a one-out solo home run in the first.
ECU (24-13-1) put one runner on base in each of the first four innings, but only Ryan Jones managed to reach second base on a two-out double off the center field wall. Jones returned to action for the first time in eight games after being sidelined with a back injury.
Freshman Jake Smith hit two home runs for the Pirates, both solo shots, including one in the Pirates' three-run eighth. Darryl Lawhorn tripled into the right field corner with one down and then scored on a pinch-hit double by Mike Harrington. Harrington later scored on a wild pitch and errant pick-off throw down to third by Ianetta.
UNC starter Matt Danford (2-1) allowed just three hits in five innings of work with three strikeouts. Four Carolina relievers allowed four runs on five hits with five strikeouts.
Ashley Capps (3-2) lasted just 3.0 innings in his sixth start of the year, giving up three runs on four hits. Neal Sears tossed 3.0 innings of relief, while Brian McCullen, Kevin Rhodes and Brett Williams hurled one inning each.
The Pirates return to Conference USA action on Friday, April 18 against TCU. The game is schedule for a 7:30 p.m. EST start in Fort Worth, Texas.
