ECU Falls to UNC in Series Finale, 6-3
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina came up short in the series finale against North Carolina, falling 6-3 at Clark-LeClair Stadium. The Pirates fought to stay in the game but couldn't overcome the Tar Heels’ early offensive surge and timely pitching.
UNC Strikes First
After a scoreless first inning, North Carolina took control in the top of the second. Hunter Stokely launched a solo home run to put the Tar Heels on the board. UNC continued the momentum as Kellis singled, Angelo walked, and Van De Brake knocked an RBI single to make it 2-1. A groundout from Gallaher added another run, giving UNC a 3-1 advantage.
ECU had an opportunity to respond in the bottom half after a leadoff single from Alex Peltier and a single from Michael Kalinich. The Pirates cut the deficit to 3-1 on an RBI groundout from Austin, but a pair of strikeouts left another run off the board.
Pirates Stay Within Striking Distance
In the third inning, ECU made some defensive adjustments, moving Dixon Williams to center field and bringing in Roger Vergara at second base for his first action as a Pirate. The Tar Heels threatened again after a walk to Luke Stevenson, but ECU managed to escape the frame without further damage.
The Pirates chipped away in the bottom of the third when Dixon Williams roped a double into the left-field gap, scoring Kalinich to make it a one-run game at 3-2. However, UNC responded in the fourth, plating two more runs off an RBI sacrifice fly from Madera and a wild pitch, pushing their lead to 5-2.
ECU’s Bullpen Holds the Line
ECU used a mix of arms throughout the game, with Bradley Zayac (0-1) getting the start but lasting just 1.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits while striking out two and walking two.
Bradd Pruett was the first out of the bullpen, working 2.2 innings while giving up two earned runs on two hits, with three strikeouts and four walks. Nick Moran and Ian White combined for the next inning, keeping UNC off the board before Jake Hunter took over in the sixth, allowing one run over two innings with two strikeouts.
In the final three frames, Jackson DiLorenzo and Gabe Beschloss shut down the Tar Heels' offense, throwing two scoreless innings combined, with Beschloss allowing just one hit in the ninth.
Collins’ Late Homer Not Enough
ECU’s bats went quiet in the middle innings, as UNC’s pitching staff retired the Pirates in order in both the fifth and sixth innings. Roger Vergara picked up his first career hit for ECU in the sixth, but a double play quickly erased any potential momentum.
The Pirates had another opportunity in the seventh when Alex Bouche walked and Alex Peltier doubled to put runners in scoring position. However, UNC turned to reliever Matthew Matthijs, who struck out Kalinich to end the threat.
John Collins provided a late spark for ECU in the eighth, launching a pinch-hit solo home run to cut the deficit to 6-3. But once again, the Pirates couldn't string together hits, as the next two batters were retired to end the inning.
In the ninth, ECU had one last chance to rally, but UNC’s bullpen shut the door. After two quick strikeouts, Alex Peltier kept the game alive with his second double of the day. However, Michael Kalinich struck out to end the game.
Final Score: North Carolina 6, East Carolina 3
Despite solid performances from their bullpen and some timely hitting, ECU couldn’t overcome UNC’s early runs. The Pirates will look to bounce back as they prepare to face Old Dominion on Wednesday at 3 p.m.