Pirate Baseball Rallies for 6-4 Win Over Delaware
February 20, 2004 | Baseball
GREENVILLE, N.C.- Freshman right-hander Mike Flye struck out three in the last three innings to pick up his first career save and East Carolina scored the game-winning run and an insurance run in the final three innings as ECU rallied to defeat Delaware, 6-4, in the first game of a three-game series at Harrington Field Friday afternoon. Jamie Paige went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI as ECU improved to 5-0 on the season.
Junior left-hander Brody Taylor picked up his first win for the Pirates. Taylor recorded six strikeouts in six innings and allowed four earned runs on seven hits before giving way to Flye. Flye threw three scoreless innings and did not allow a hit. Joe Coudon suffered the loss in relief for the Blue Hens (0-2). Coudon gave up two earned runs in three innings and struck out three Pirates.
With the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth, John Poppert reached on an error and advanced to second on Ryan Jones' sacrifice bunt. Poppert moved to third and scored the game-winning run on wild pitches by Coudon giving ECU a 5-4 lead.
The Pirates added an insurance run in the bottom of the eigth. Ryan Jones was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Billy Richardson followed with an infield single and reached second on an error. Paige grounded out to plate Jones for a 6-4 ECU lead.
Delaware wasted no time jumping on Taylor early in the top of the first. Ryan Graham singled and Todd Davidson followed with a double. Steve Van Note then launched a three-run home run to left field giving the Blue Hens a 3-0 lead. ECU came within 3-1 in the bottom half of the first. Paige tripled to lead off the inning and scored on Darryl Lawhorn's single through the left side.
Bryan Hagerich's solo home run put Delaware ahead 4-1 in the top of the fourth. Jones matched that with his second home run of the season, a solo shot to deep center field pulling the Pirates within 4-2.
ECU tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Paige led off with a double. After Darryl Lawhorn walked, Ryan Norwood doubled down the left field line for the 4-4 tie. Mike Mihalik started the game for the Blue Hens on the mound. He allowed four runs in five innings while striking out six Pirates. Graham led the Blue Hens at the plate going 2-for-4 with one run scored.
ECU and Delaware will play game two of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. Junior right-hander Greg Bunn will start on the mound for East Carolina. Delaware will counter with right-hander Scott Rambo.
