Pirates lose rivalry game by one run, again

ECU's late rally falls short

By: Ronnie Woodward

Posted: 4/3/08

A baseball game between ECU and NC State is destined to be decided by one run these days.

Even with the Wolfpack in control for most of the game Tuesday night at Clark-LeClair Stadium, ECU made a late rally, forcing another dramatic ending to a baseball game between the two rivals.

However, ECU's late comeback fell just short, and the Pirates lost 4-3, making it four-straight one-run losses to the Wolfpack.

"It was another classic matchup against NC State," said ECU coach Billy Godwin. "We came out on the losing end which is certainly disappointing, especially with the way it ended."

Each of the last six games between the two teams have now been decided by one run, with ECU only winning one of them.

The last time the Pirates (18-8) beat the Wolfpack was on April 12, 2006, a 2-1, 13-inning victory in Greenville.

"It seems like every one of them is decided by one run or extra innings," Wolfpack coach Elliot Avent said of the series. "It's great for college athletics and great for college baseball."

Down 4-1 in the eighth inning on Tuesday, ECU catcher Corey Kemp ignited the Pirates' offense with a two-run home run into right field.

But, NC State (16-9) brought in left-handed reliever Drew Taylor, who got the next three ECU batters to ground out, ending the late ECU rally.

"I thought our guys didn't quit and I'm proud of that," Godwin said. "Corey Kemp stepped up and energized us at a key time, which got us into striking distance.

"There were some really positive things that came out of tonight's performance, except that we got the loss."

In the ninth, Wolfpack closer Jimmy Gillheeney retired ECU's first two batters before Harrison Eldridge drew a two-out walk.

However, Gillheeney abruptly ended the game by picking off Eldridge, notching his seventh save of the season.

ECU rallies that ended quickly were seen numerous times by the 5,105 fans in attendance, which was the fifth-largest crowd in ECU baseball history.

The Pirates had at least one runner reach third base in four of the first five innings, but only managed one run during that span, which led to the early deficit.

Eldridge led off the first inning with a single and eventually reached third base, but NC State's Eryk McConnell would not allow him to score, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

The next inning, ECU's first two batters each reached safely, but McConnell retired the next three, leaving the game scoreless once again.

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