Spring Break
Pirates lose rivalry game by one run, again
ECU's late rally falls short
Ronnie Woodward, Asst. Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Sports
Then trailing 2-1 in the fifth, ECU loaded the bases with two outs, but McConnell retired the Pirates' designated hitter, Kyle Roller, in his last batter faced of the game.
"We have a good pitching staff and they are starting to understand their roles and what they need to do in certain situations," said Avent. "Our pitchers did a great job, especially against a great hitting ball club like they have."
McConnell is one of the Wolfpack's weekend starters, but since NC State's Sunday game with North Carolina was postponed due to weather, his scheduled start was pushed back one game.
The fifth-year senior had no trouble adjusting.
He pitched five strong innings, allowing one run and striking out three while improving his record to 3-1 in six starts.
ECU's Sthil Sowers, a true freshman, suffered the loss, allowing four runs in four innings pitched.
ECU plated its first run of the game when Kyle Roller scored on a fielders choice in the fourth, making the score 2-1.
But, NC State pushed its lead back to three a half inning later with two runs in the fifth.
Five of the first six Wolfpack batters reached safely in the top of the fifth, including Chris Schaeffer, who had a career-high four hits in the game. Ryan Pond also recorded one of his two RBI singles in the fifth.
Kemp, Stephen Batts and Brandon Henderson each had two hits for ECU.
The Wolfpack now lead the overall series 61-36.
"We just have to bounce back," Kemp said after the one-run loss. "That's the great thing about baseball, we don't have to wait a week to play like in football."
The Pirates did indeed bounce back Wednesday night--with a victory over Campbell--and they will play a crucial Conference USA series at Southern Miss this weekend.
On April 15, ECU will have a chance for revenge, as the team travels to Raleigh for the 97th meeting between the two rivals, and you can probably expect that game to be close--likely decided by one run.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com
"We have a good pitching staff and they are starting to understand their roles and what they need to do in certain situations," said Avent. "Our pitchers did a great job, especially against a great hitting ball club like they have."
McConnell is one of the Wolfpack's weekend starters, but since NC State's Sunday game with North Carolina was postponed due to weather, his scheduled start was pushed back one game.
The fifth-year senior had no trouble adjusting.
He pitched five strong innings, allowing one run and striking out three while improving his record to 3-1 in six starts.
ECU's Sthil Sowers, a true freshman, suffered the loss, allowing four runs in four innings pitched.
ECU plated its first run of the game when Kyle Roller scored on a fielders choice in the fourth, making the score 2-1.
But, NC State pushed its lead back to three a half inning later with two runs in the fifth.
Five of the first six Wolfpack batters reached safely in the top of the fifth, including Chris Schaeffer, who had a career-high four hits in the game. Ryan Pond also recorded one of his two RBI singles in the fifth.
Kemp, Stephen Batts and Brandon Henderson each had two hits for ECU.
The Wolfpack now lead the overall series 61-36.
"We just have to bounce back," Kemp said after the one-run loss. "That's the great thing about baseball, we don't have to wait a week to play like in football."
The Pirates did indeed bounce back Wednesday night--with a victory over Campbell--and they will play a crucial Conference USA series at Southern Miss this weekend.
On April 15, ECU will have a chance for revenge, as the team travels to Raleigh for the 97th meeting between the two rivals, and you can probably expect that game to be close--likely decided by one run.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com
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