ECU's Seven-Run Third Propels Pirates to Victory
April 29, 2005 | Baseball
GREENVILLE, N.C.--A seven-run third was the difference in the ballgame as ECU topped Cincinnati, 13-7, Friday night at Clark-LeClair Stadium. Despite being out-hit 14-to-11, the Pirates were able to hold off a late Cincinnati rally to take the six-run victory.
The Pirates moved over .500 in conference with their ninth conference win in their last 10 tries. The Pirates are now 25-16 overall and 10-9 in Conference USA play while Cincinnati falls to 18-21 on the season and 6-12 in conference action.
Brian Cavanaugh, Mark Minicozzi and Ryan Peisel each collected two hits to lead the Pirates. Cavanaugh finished 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI, Minicozzi also collected two runs and two RBI while batting 2-for-4 and Peisel led ECU with three RBI, going 2-for-5. The freshman first baseman also scored two runs on the night. Drew Costanzo and Adam Witter also collected two runs for East Carolina.
Ricky Brooks earned his fifth conference win of the season, allowing three runs on seven hits in five innings of work. The sophomore right-hander struck out six and walked two on the night before giving way to Jason Neitz. Neitz, making his first appearance since April 8, tossed one inning, allowing three runs on three hits while walking one. Chris Powell and Brett Braxton combined to finish the game for ECU.
Justin Minges lost his third game of the season, allowing seven earned runs on six hits in two innings of work. Bryan Wood came on in relief of Minges, allowing five runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits while walking two and striking out one. Mike Foley pitched the last three innings, allowing just two hits while walking one and striking out two Pirate batters.
Five Bearcat batters collected multiple hits with Jon DeLuca leading the way with three. Mark Haske, Logan Parker, Brian Szermach and Pat LeMasters each finished with two.
Bearcat clean-up hitter Parker hit his sixth homer of the season with a three-run shot to right in the top of the first to give Cincinnati the early lead.
The Pirates responded in the bottom half of the first to take a 4-3 lead. Cavanaugh singled to lead off the game for ECU and was driven in by Minicozzi's opposite field shot to right-center. Peisel singled to short, Costanzo singled through the right side before Smith singled to right, scoring Peisel to tie the game. Costanzo, who had moved over to third on a fielder's choice, scored from third on a throwing error by catcher Jim Olds to give ECU the one-run advantage.
Witter hit his fifth homer of the season with a deep shot over the batter's eye in centerfield, scoring Cavanaugh from second to give ECU a 6-3 lead after two.
Costanzo scored his second run of the game from second on a fielding error by second baseman Mark Muscenti on a Dale Mollenhauer grounder. Smith plated the Pirates' eighth run of the game on a Wood balk before a Cavanaugh double to right scored Mollenhauer and Eldridge. Peisel then hit a line shot over the wall in left with two on, giving ECU seven runs in the inning and a 13-3 lead after three.
The Bearcats added a fourth run with a solo home run by Haske in the top of the seventh.
Cincinnati added four runs in the top of the seventh, cutting the ECU lead to 13-7. Haske hit a solo shot to right-center to lead off the inning before a double and a walk put runners on first and second. DeLuca then singled up the middle, scoring Parker from second. After a wild pitch moved runners over, LeMasters grounded out to third, bringing home Brian Szarmach from third. Pinch-hitter Kevin Shrader then proceeded to single down the line in left, scoring DeLuca for the Bearcats' seventh run.
ECU and Cincinnati return to Clark-LeClair Stadium Saturday night to play the second game of the weekend series at 6 p.m.
