ECU Completes Comeback with Walk-Off Home Run to Win Series Over George Mason
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Alex Bouche sent Clark-LeClair Stadium into a frenzy with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth, capping a thrilling comeback as ECU defeated George Mason 4-3 in the series finale on Saturday. The Pirates, who trailed for most of the game, battled back behind a dominant bullpen performance that allowed zero hits over 3.1 scoreless innings and clutch late-inning offense.
Game Recap
Jenkins Battles in Collegiate Debut
Making his first start for the Pirates, 17-year-old freshman Sean Jenkins showed flashes of his potential while working through early adversity.
George Mason jumped on the board in the first inning, capitalizing on a walk and a dropped pop fly to put runners in scoring position. A double steal and a sacrifice bunt brought in two runs, putting ECU in an early 2-0 hole.
Jenkins responded well, retiring the Patriots in order in the second and third innings, settling into a rhythm. In the fourth, Jenkins had his "Welcome to College Baseball" moment when James Quinn-Irons crushed a home run to dead center, extending George Mason’s lead to 3-0.
Despite the one homerun Jenkins finished strong, working a clean fifth inning before exiting in the sixth. His final line:
5.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R (1 ER), 2 K, 2 BB
Pirates Struggle to Get Going at the Plate
ECU’s offense took time to find a rhythm. Kenan Bowman picked up a single in the second and stole second base, but the Pirates left him stranded. In the third and fourth innings, ECU went down in order, struggling to generate momentum.
Finally, in the fifth, the Pirates broke through. Nick Parham singled with two outs, Walker Barron worked a walk, and Alex Peltier reached on an infield hit. A George Mason error on a ground ball allowed ECU to score its first run, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
In the sixth, Colby Wallace led off with a double, and Jack Herring followed with a single. Though the Patriots turned a double play, ECU managed to push across another run, making it a 3-2 game.
Peltier’s Blast Ties It Up
As Jake Hunter kept George Mason scoreless in the seventh, ECU found its breakthrough moment. Alex Peltier crushed a game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh, sending the crowd into a roar as the Pirates evened things up 3-3. Dixon Williams followed with a walk, but ECU couldn’t capitalize further.
Both bullpens held strong through the eighth and top of the ninth, with ECU’s relievers combining for 3.1 hitless innings to keep the game tied heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Bouche Delivers the Walk-Off
With the crowd buzzing in anticipation, Alex Bouche stepped up to the plate and launched a home run over the right field wall, sealing the 4-3 victory for the Pirates in dramatic fashion. As he rounded the bases, his teammates mobbed him at home plate, celebrating ECU’s first walk-off win of the season and the series victory over George Mason.
Final Score: ECU 4, George Mason 3
Key Takeaways
Sean Jenkins impresses in his debut – 5.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R (1 ER), 2 K, 2 BB
ECU’s bullpen dominates – Grubbs, Hunter, Moran, White, and DiLorenzo combine for 3.1 scoreless, hitless innings
Alex Peltier’s game-tying HR in the 7th
Alex Bouche’s walk-off HR in the 9th
Jackson DiLorenzo earns the win – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R.
What’s Next?
With the series win secured, ECU will turn its attention to its midweek matchup against Campbell on Tuesday. The Pirates will look to build on their momentum as they face a Camels team known for its competitive play.