Pirates drop Coastal Carolina

Published in Sports on May 11, 2006 2:08 PM

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GREENVILLE -- Six East Carolina batters collected multiple hits on the evening as the Pirates defeated Coastal Carolina 10-3 Wednesday night at Clark-LeClair Stadium to improve to 29-20 on the year.

The Pirates (29-20) took the lead for good in the seventh when Ryan Wood singled to left field in the bottom of the seventh scoring Harrison Eldridge and Dale Mollenhauer. Stephen Batts led off the inning with an infield single and advanced to second on Ryan Tousley's sacrifice bunt. Eldridge plated the first run of the inning with a double to left center. After Mollenhauer was intentionally walked, Jake Smith reached on an error loading the bases for Wood with two outs.

Junior Mike Flye picked up his first win of the season after working 41/3 innings in relief. He allowed one run on three hits and struck out a season-high three batters. Pirate starter Chris Powell, who was making his first start since May 17, 2005, lasted 22/3 innings giving up two runs on five hits. Scott Andrews and Shane Mathews combined to work a scoreless eighth before handing the ball to freshman Michael Hill to close out the ninth.

Kevin Marrie fell to 4-4 on the season after giving up six runs on seven hits in 32/3 innings. Coastal (22-25) starter John Mariotti worked three innings allowing one run on four hits before giving way to Marrie in the fourth. Pete Andrelczyk tossed the final 11/3 inning giving up three runs on four hits.

Offensively the Pirates were led by Eldridge who went 3-for-5 from the plate with a double, two runs scored and one RBI. Five other Pirate sluggers banged out multiple hits in Mollenhauer (2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs), Brandon Henderson (2-for-4 with one RBI and one run), Jay Mattox (2-for-4 with a triple and one RBI), Batts (2-for-3) and Ryan Tousley (2-for-3).

The Pirates will remain at home this weekend when they play host to UAB in the final weekend series at Clark-LeClair Stadium. Friday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m.