Memphis Edges No. 18 ECU, 6-5
March 27, 2004 | Baseball
Darryl Lawhorn led ECU going 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI. Brody Taylor tossed six innings for the Pirates and allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out nine. Jarrett Grube earned a no decision for the Tigers holding ECU to three runs on five hits while picking up five strikeouts. Mike Flye relieved Taylor and ended up with loss after surrendering one earned run in 1 1/3 innings.
Memphis pushed across the two runs in the bottom of the eighth with one out. Jordan Hart scored on a wild pitch putting the Tigers ahead, 5-4. With runners on first and second, Adam Amar hit into an apparent inning-ending double play. Dustin Sasser threw to Billy Richardson for the first out and Richardson threw to Ryan Norwood at first base for the apparent third out. Memphis argued that Norwood was not on the bag and discussed the call and overturned it bringing the ECU defense back onto the field. Kyle Scott then singled in Kurt Welch putting the Tigers ahead, 6-4.
ECU tied the game in the top of the eighth. Trevor Lawhorn doubled to left field and advanced to third on a balk. Darryl Lawhorn singled in his brother tying the game once again, 4-4.
Memphis pulled ahead, 4-3, in the bottom of the sixth on Brent Dlugach's RBI single scoring Jordan Hart.
Josh Payne's three-run home run in the bottom of the first put the Tigers on top, 3-0. ECU loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the second on two walks and a single. Grube then got Jamie Paige to fly out to right field to end the threat.
After Taylor struck out the side in the bottom of the second, the Pirates tied the game, 3-3. Ryan Jones led off the third with a single and moved to third on Darryl Lawhorn's single to right center. Ryan Norwood doubled in Jones for ECU's first run of the game making it, 3-1. Darryl Lawhorn scored on Mark Minicozzi's ground out for the Pirates second run. Drew Costanzo drove in Ryan Norwood with a single through the right side tying the game.
ECU and Memphis will play game two of the series Saturday beginning at 3 p.m. (EST). Greg Bunn will start for the Pirates while Memphis will counter with Derek Hankins.
