By Staff
From ECU wire reports
WILMINGTON -- Pinch-hitter Mitch Williams delivered a two-out RBI double with a runner at second to score the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run in the seventh inning to lift UNC-Wilmington over East Carolina 4-3 Wednesday night.
With the loss the Pirates fall to 16-9-1, while UNCW improves to 19-10.
The first three Seahawk batters of the game each reached safely and the first two scored. Jon Davis led off the frame with a single and then scored from first on an RBI-double by Matt Wright. Wright then moved over to third on a base hit by Jamie Hemingway and later scored on a RBI-ground out by Matt Sutton.
Wright then plated the third Seahawk run in the third on an RBI-double to left center.
East Carolina rallied to tie the game at 3-3 with a trio of runs in the sixth. Ryan Jones and Ryan Norwood got things started with back-to-back singles. Following a walk to Darryl Lawhorn, Jake Smith delivered an RBI-single through the right side to plate Jones. Norwood scored on fielder's choice and Lawhorn brought home the tying run on a sacrifice fly by John Poppert.
Freshman Brain McCullen (0-1) suffered the loss, but pitched very well in relief of starter Scott Greene. He allowed just one run on three hits with five strikeouts. Jake Mullis (4-2) picked up the victory for UNC-Wilmington.
Norwood was the Pirates leading hitter, going 3-for-4 with three singles.
The Pirates return to Conference USA action Friday against Cincinnati at Harrington Field at 7 p.m.