No. 2 East Carolina Falls to No. 1 UTSA, Set to Play Again Saturday Evening

Saturday, May 23

Clearwater, Fla.

10:00 AM

East Carolina University

34-22-1

No. 1 UTSA

38-19

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
East Carolina	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	6	0
UTSA	1	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	X	4	4	0

No. 2 East Carolina Falls to No. 1 UTSA, Set to Play Again Saturday Evening

May 23, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The East Carolina Pirates (34-22-1) gave a back-and-forth effort, but ultimately fell against UTSA (38-19) with a low-scoring game of 4-2. ECU is set to play its second game tonight, either against No. 7 Wichita State or No. 4 UAB, depending on the winner of Game 10 of the bracket.

The matchup opened with UTSA making an immediate impact. Drew Detlefesen put the Roadrunners on the board with a homer in the bottom of the first, scoring the only run of the inning and giving UTSA a 1-0 lead.

Tension built as the Roadrunners began with a lead-off runner in the second, putting pressure on the Pirates. With only one out and the bases loaded, ECU's defense responded. Jack Herring tracked a short fly ball in right field, then threw home for a double play to end the inning without allowing a run.

The Pirates found their rhythm in the third. Grady Lenahan drew a walk with one out and stole second, marking ECU's first runner in scoring position. Braden Burress singled to center, bringing Lenahan home and tying the game.

UTSA quickly answered in the third. After a hit-by-pitch, the runner advanced to third base with two outs. Catcher Andrew Stucky hit a ball for a fielder's choice, allowing UTSA to regain the lead, 2-1.

The game remained competitive as Walker Barron singled in the fourth, followed by Nick Parham, putting two runners on base. When Grady Lenahan singled with two outs, the Pirates tied the game again in the middle innings.

UTSA responded immediately after the Pirates tied the game. A ground out RBI gave UTSA the lead for the third time in the game. Despite two outs, Detlefesen singled and drove in another run, increasing ECU's deficit to two, which the Pirates couldn't overcome.

The score remained unchanged over the next five innings as both teams played solid defense. UTSA left nine runners stranded while ECU left eight. The Pirates outhit the Roadrunners six to four. ECU's pitching staff allowed seven hit-by-pitches and five walks, contributing to UTSA's opportunities.

Burress and Barron both tallied two hits on the day, with Parham and Lenahan tallying the last two for the Pirates.

ECU now drops into the loser's bracket of the American Conference Tournament and will be back in action approximately 47 minutes after the conclusion of No. 7 Wichita State vs. No. 4 UAB. The Pirates' opponent tonight will be the winner of the 2:05 p.m. game.