Pirates Run Past Rams For 10th Straight Win

March 14, 2008

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Kyle Roller and Stephen Batts combined to drive in seven runs on three hits including a home run each, while T.J. Hose picked up his first win of the season in East Carolina's 13-2 victory over Rhode Island Friday night at Lewis Field inside Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Roller, who was one of five Pirate batters to record two hits on the night, was 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs scored and two walks. Batts drove in four runs on the evening and walked three times.

Hose worked a season-high seven innings for the Pirates (11-4) allowing just two runs on five hits with four punch outs. Freshman Zach Cooper made his second appearance of the season out of the pen relieving Hose in the eighth allowing one hit in one inning, while Shane Small allowed one hit in the ninth.

Brett Palanski suffered the loss for Rhode Island (5-6) falling to 1-1 on the season. He lasted four innings, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits with three walks before giving way to Gardner Leaver who worked two innings allowing five runs on four hits. Dan Rossignol finished the final two frames allowing two hits.

ECU jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first behind five hits including Dustin Harrington's two-out two-RBI single to center field. Harrison Eldridge singled to lead off the frame then was forced out at second when Ryan Wood reached on a fielder's choice. Wood swiped second base then moved to third on a wild pitch that also walked Batts. Brandon Henderson was hit by a Palanski pitch to load the bases for Jamie Ray, who singled to center scoring Wood. Corey Kemp followed with a sac fly to center that plated Batts. Roller waked to load the bases setting up Harrington's at-bat.

The Rams scored in the fourth cutting into the Pirates lead, 5-1. Zach Zaneski drew a one-out walk the moved to second on Shaun Hagey's single up the middle and came around to score when Oliver Palmer blooped a single in center field.

Wood pushed the Pirates lead back to five, 6-1, in the bottom half of fourth on his RBI single to center that scored Trent Whitehead. Harrington collected his second hit of the game, a single to right then was thrown out at second on a steal attempt. Whitehead followed with his second hit of the game with a single through the right side then moved to third on Eldridge's double down the right field line.

Mike O'Malley drove in the Rams second run of the game with his single to left field in the fifth. Kenny Burns drew a one-out walk and moved into scoring position when he stole second before coming home O'Malley's base hit making the score 6-2 in favor of ECU.

Roller and Batts ignited a five-run fifth inning to pad the Pirates lead to nine, 11-2. Roller smacked a two-run shot to right field that scored Kemp ahead of him after he reached on a fielding error by O'Malley. After a pitching change saw Leaver come in, Whitehead reached second on an error by the left fielder (Zoey Angulo) before Eldridge drew a one-out walk setting up Batts' three-run home run to right field.

The Pirates added two more runs in the sixth pushing the lead to 13-2.

ECU and Rhode Island will meet for game two of the three-game series Saturday afternoon with a first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.

GAME NOTES:

T.J. Hose improved to 1-1 on the season and picked up his 17th career win,

Ryan Wood extended his current hitting streak to 13 games with his bloop single to center field in the fourth inning. He went 3-for-6 with one RBI and one run scored.

Dustin Harrington drove in two runs for the second time this season. He finished the game with two hits.

Trent Whitehead recorded his first multi-hit game of his career with two hits on the night.

Harrison Eldridge pounded out two hits, stole his 16th base of the season and roped his 43rd career double in the fourth down the right field line. He reached base five times (2 hits, hit by pitch and 2 walks).

Kyle Roller hit his third home run of the season and the 14th of his career, which ties Harrison Eldridge and Brandon Henderson on ECU's career list. He finished the game going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Stephen Batts hit his second home run of the season and 13th of his career in the fifth inning on a three-run shot to right field. He has now hit homers in back-to-back games and has collected at least one hit in 42 of his last 44 games played.

Trent Ashcraft collected his first hit of the season in the eighth.

ECU collected 15 hits on the night marking the 11th time this season the Pirates have reached double-digits in hits. Their 13 runs scored is the seventh time this season ECU has had double-digits in scoring.

Next Event

Footer