Bouche Powers ECU to 4-2 Win Over Rice with 3 RBIs; Norby Shines on the Mound
HOUSTON, Texas — Behind clutch hitting from Alex Bouche and a dominant outing from Ethan Norby, East Carolina took care of business on the road Friday night, defeating the Rice Owls 4-2 at Reckling Park.
Bouche was the offensive hero for the Pirates, driving in three of the team’s four runs, including a two-run home run in the fourth inning that proved to be the game-winner. He finished the night 1-for-3 with a homer, a sacrifice fly, and 3 RBIs.
ECU got on the board in the second inning when Bouche lifted a sac fly to center field, scoring John Collins from third. The run was unearned, but it gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead. In the third, Colby Wallace grounded out to shortstop, bringing home Braden Burress to double the lead. Wallace went 1-for-4 with an RBI double.
Bouche added the exclamation point in the fourth. After Walker Barron drew a walk, Bouche jumped on a pitch and sent it over the right field fence for a two-run shot giving the Pirates a 4-0 cushion.
Burress had another solid game at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Collins also added a hit and a run scored.
Rice responded in the fifth with a two-run homer of their own, as Blaine Brown went deep off Norby, trimming the lead to 4-2. But that would be all the Owls could muster.
Ethan Norby (W, 4-2) was sharp once again, tossing 7.0 innings of five-hit ball while striking out nine and walking three. He allowed two earned runs and threw 97 pitches (62 strikes), lowering his ERA to 2.49.
Bradd Pruett (save, 2) was lights out in relief, working two perfect innings with three strikeouts on just 22 pitches. His ERA dropped to 2.30.
ECU finished with seven hits and played error-free defense, turning two key double plays behind their pitchers.
Top Pirate Performers:
Alex Bouche: 1-for-3, HR, SF, 3 RBIs
Braden Burress: 2-for-4, 2 2B, R
Colby Wallace: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
John Collins: 1-for-4, R
Will Barron: 1-for-3, BB, R
Ethan Norby: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K (W, 4-2)
Bradd Pruett: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K (S, 2)
With the win, ECU improves its standing in conference play and sets the tone for the rest of the weekend series against the Owls.