Braxton Tramel, Bullpen Lift ECU to Series-Clinching 3-1 Win Over Memphis
GREENVILLE, N.C.- Behind a clutch two-run homer from Braxton Tramel and a lockdown performance from the bullpen, East Carolina secured a 3-1 win over Memphis on Saturday afternoon at Clark-LeClair Stadium, clinching the weekend series with one game still to play.
The Pirates improved to 2-0 in American Athletic Conference play and have now won back-to-back games to open league action.
Tramel’s Two-Run Blast Sparks the Offense
After a scoreless first inning, ECU broke through in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Austin Irby drew a walk and Braxton Tramel followed by driving a deep fly to right that tipped off the glove of the Memphis outfielder and cleared the fence for a two-run homer.
It was Tramel’s first home run of the season and his second multi-hit game of the series, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Small Ball Creates More Pressure
The Pirates put runners in motion throughout the middle innings. In the third, Braden Burress led off with a single and moved up on a sacrifice bunt from Dixon Williams. Burress was caught stealing third, and Colby Wallace later walked before Alex Bouche struck out to end the threat.
ECU added more pressure in the fifth. After Tramel struck out, Alex Peltier walked and Burress laid down a bunt single to reach for the second time. However, the Pirates again left both runners on.
The key insurance run came in the seventh. Tramel led off with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Kaden Bowman. Alex Peltier executed a hit-and-run to move Bowman to third and then stole second, putting two runners in scoring position with one out. A productive out allowed Bowman to score, giving ECU a 3-0 advantage.
Pruett and the Bullpen Lock It Down
Freshman Lance Williams got the start on the mound, working 2.1 scoreless innings while allowing two hits and striking out four. He was starting a day earlier than usual due to fellow freshman Sean Jenkins being shifted to the bullpen for the time being, according to head coach Cliff Godwin.
Williams exited after back-to-back walks in the third, and left-hander Brad Pruett entered to escape the jam.
Pruett was brilliant across 4.2 innings, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out three. He retired Memphis in order multiple times and kept the Tigers from gaining momentum.
"All three pitches were working today," Pruett said. "It was great to go out there and perform. They told me before the game I could be coming in early, so I knew what I had to do. I had my stuff working for me and I had my defense behind me. It's easy to pitch when it's all working together."
Justin Hunter handled the final two innings and allowed just one unearned run in the ninth to earn the save. He gave up a single and induced a pair of groundouts to secure the win.
"Lance gave us a good open, Brad Pruett was tremendous out of the bullpen and then Jake Hunter was awesome," Godwin said. "I thought we played unbelievable defense. I thought our pitching and defense was outstanding, and we got one big swing off, then were able to add an insurance run."
Offensive Standouts
Braxton Tramel: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
Braden Burress: 2-for-3, BB, bunt single
Alex Peltier: 1-for-2, BB, SB
Up Next
ECU improved its record to 14-9 overall and 2-0 in league action heading into Sunday’s 12 noon first pitch, where it will go for the sweep. Memphis dropped to 11-11 and 0-2 in AAC play despite two well-pitched and cleanly played baseball games