Three consecutive two-out singles including RBI base hits from Corey Thompson and Trent Whitehead helped East Carolina rally from a one-run deficit in the ninth to a 4-3 victory over South Carolina on Saturday afternoon at Clark-LeClair Stadium. South Carolina falls to 4-1 on the year while East Carolina improves to 3-3 for the season. The rubber game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
South Carolina held a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning when ECU made its final charge. Austin Homan drew a leadoff walk against Gamecock reliever Michael Roth to give the Pirates a runner to open the frame. Roth fought back though and struck out Philip Clark to give the Gamecocks the first out of the inning.
South Carolina would then go to the bullpen for reliever John Taylor, who was able to get the second out as Bobby Haney fielded a slow roller from Cameron Freeman and threw cleanly to first to secure the out as ECU pinch runner Bryan Bass advanced to second base.
With two outs and a 0-1 count, ECU third baseman Corey Thompson knocked a ball into the hole between third base and shortstop that bounced past Gamecock shortstop Bobby Haney and into left field scoring Bass and tying the game at 3-3. ECU’s Zach Wright followed with an infield single, again into the hole between third and short setting the stage for Whitehead. On a 2-1 pitch, Whitehead laced a single into right field that scored pincher runner Chris Gosik and lifted the Pirates to a 4-3victory.
ECU reliever Seth Simmons earned the win with an inning of relief. He is 1-0 on the year. Taylor falls to 0-1 after 0.1 innings of work. The Gamecocks are now 4-1 this season.
