ECU beats UNC in thrilling weekend showdown

Coming off a deflating loss to Campbell University (6-1, 0-0 Coastal Athletic Association) last week, the No. 11 East Carolina University (2-2, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) bounced back in historic fashion by winning the 3 game series 2-1 against No.15 rival University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (5-2, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) from February 23rd-25th.

A new attendance record was set at Clark-LeClair stadium on February 25th with 6,017 people in attendance to see the Pirates win 10-9. With the sun setting, fans got to witness freshman outfielder Bristol Carter hit a walk-off RBI which capped off a wild back-and-forth battle all afternoon.

The series started on Chapel Hill's home turf at Boshamer stadium after a brief 45 minute weather delay. In a low scoring game, Chapel hill defended home field by winning 2-1 against the Pirates with the first run being scored in the second inning.

ECU responded with a run in the fifth inning after senior first baseman Carter Cunningham scored. The first game was close, but the Pirates ultimately fell to UNC after a home run to left field in the 8th inning with no answer back.

Moving over to the neutral site, Segra stadium, the Pirates took game 2 in convincing fashion with a 7-4 victory. ECU started the scoring off in the third inning with 2 runs being scored by junior outfielder Ryley Johnson, and Carter Cunningham.

The scoring continued with 2 more runs in the fifth, and 3 more in the 7th inning, putting ECU up 7-0. After being down big, the UNC Tar Heels made a late game run, knocking in 3 runs in the 7th inning, and 1 more in the bottom of the 9th. With their comeback falling short, UNC had to make a trip to the “Jungle” with the series tied 1-1.

“I hope we break a attendance record at home tomorrow,” Head Coach Cliff Godwin said. “Need the Jungle rocking. So ya’ll come out”.

With tickets sold out and bragging rights on the line, Clark Le-Clair stadium was filled with 6,017 rowdy students and fans.

The Pirates started off with the bats hot, scoring 2 in the first inning, 1 in the second, and 1 in the fifth. With ECU up 4-0 and Junior pitcher Jake Hunter holding off the Tar Heels, it wasn’t until the 6th inning when UNC started to fight back with 2 runs of their own.

ECU quickly found themselves down 5-4 when the Tar Heels had a huge inning in which they hammered in 3 runs. The Pirates were cool under pressure and answered back by scoring 3 more in the bottom of the 7th and putting them back up 2.

UNC wasn’t going to go down without a fight in this back-and-forth battle and quickly went back up 1, making it 8-7 Tar Heels in the top of the 8th. UNC is now leading, and Junior outfielder Luke Nowak hits a 2 run homer for his first career home run, putting the Pirates on top.

With an instant classic brewing, it was only right that UNC tied it up in the top of the 9th to put the pressure on East Carolina. Freshman Bristol Carter was the hero for ECU as he hit a walk-off RBI to center field, winning the rivalry weekend series 2-1 for the Pirates.

“Great team win,” said Bristol Carter after the walk-off win. “Jake Hunter had an amazing performance”.

East Carolina looks to keep the momentum rolling on February 27th, taking on Old Dominion University (4-3, 0-0 Sun Belt Conference) away in Norfolk, Virginia. The Old Dominion Monarchs have lost their last 2 out of 3 games to Rutgers University, but nonetheless will be a tough test for the Pirates.