Pirates Grind Out 3-2 Win Over Memphis Behind Timely Hitting and Strong Pitching
East Carolina opened American Athletic Conference play with a gritty 3-2 win over Memphis on Friday night at Clark-LeClair Stadium, riding timely hits and a lockdown performance from the bullpen to secure the series opener.
The Pirates (13-9, 1-0 AAC) scored in the first and fourth innings, and the pitching staff held off a late push by Memphis (11-10, 0-1 AAC).
Early Action and Small Ball Execution
ECU struck first in the bottom of the first inning after Braden Burress got things rolling with a leadoff double to left center. Dixon Williams moved Burress to third with a groundout to second, and after John Collins drew a walk, Walker Barron drove in the opening run with a groundout to third.
Burress finished 1-for-3 with a double, a run scored, and a walk. Williams and Collins each reached once via walk, while Barron brought in a run with his lone RBI.
Memphis Answers with Long Balls
The Tigers tied the game in the top of the second with a solo home run to left field from J. Sutton. ECU starter Ethan Norby responded with a strikeout to end the inning — one of his five on the night.
After both teams went quietly in the third, Memphis grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth with another solo shot, this time from Sh. Cox.
But the Pirates had an answer waiting in the bottom half.
Wallace, Bouche Spark Clutch Rally
Colby Wallace led off the bottom of the fourth with a booming 398-foot double to straightaway center, setting the table for a momentum swing. Austin Irby followed with a hard lineout to right — robbed by an incredible diving grab — before Alex Bouche tied the game with a sharp RBI single to right field, scoring Wallace.
Braxton Tramel kept the inning alive with a single, and Aidan Peltier gave ECU the lead with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Bouche to make it 3-2.
Wallace finished the night 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Bouche went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Tramel stayed hot at the plate, going 2-for-2. Peltier added the final RBI with the sac fly.
Norby and Young Lock It Down
Ethan Norby gave ECU a strong start, pitching into the sixth inning. He allowed four hits and two earned runs — both via solo homers — while striking out five and walking two.
"We talk to our pitchers all the time that solo home runs don't beat you," ECU head coach Cliff Godwin said. "They got two swings off that were solo home runs. Our offense did enough. Norby and Ethan Young were outstanding pitching in the clutch and just did a tremendous job."
Young entered with one out in the sixth and was dominant out of the bullpen. The right-hander cruised through 2.2 innings before running into trouble in the ninth, when Memphis opened the inning with back-to-back ground-ball singles to bring the go-ahead run to the plate.
Young responded by inducing a flyout before giving way to Danny Beal, who recorded the final two outs to close the door and secure the save.
"He's awesome and he's been like that pretty much every time he's been out there," Godwin said of Young. "He's got really good stuff. I think Memphis made him work, too. But he was able to come through."
For Young, the contrast in style after Norby’s start made all the difference.
"It's fun backing the other Ethan up," Young said. "He's coming from the (lefty slot) and I'm basically the complete opposite. It's tough for hitters definitely."
Up Next
The Pirates will look to clinch the series on Saturday afternoon when they take on Memphis in Game 2 at 4 p.m. at Clark-LeClair Stadium.