ECU Pirates Achieve Series Sweep Over William and Mary

Categories: College University Athletics

ECU Pirates celebrating their baseball series sweep over William and Mary.

News Summary

The ECU Pirates had a triumphant weekend, sweeping William and Mary in a three-game baseball series. With impressive performances including a shutout victory and a grand slam, the Pirates elevated their record to 12-8. The series concluded with a narrow 9-8 win in a nail-biting final game. Freshman and sophomore players stood out, showcasing their skills ahead of their upcoming American Athletic Conference play against Memphis.

ECU Baseball Team Sweeps William and Mary in Dominant Weekend Series

Greenville, NC – It was a thrilling weekend for the ECU Pirates as they took on William and Mary in a three-game baseball series, emerging victorious in all matches. With the Pirates now boasting a record of 12 wins and 8 losses, they showed off their prowess on the field just ahead of kicking off their American Athletic Conference play against Memphis, who currently holds an 11-8 record.

Game 1: A Decisive Victory

Friday night couldn’t have gone better for the Pirates, as they shut out William and Mary with an impressive 12-0 win. The game was concluded via the run rule in the seventh inning, leaving no doubt about ECU’s dominance. Sophomore lefty Ethan Norby was nothing short of spectacular, pitching seven innings and allowing only five hits while striking out six batters. His stellar performance earned him his second consecutive American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honor.

Among the notable performances, sophomore infielder Parker Byrd truly stole the spotlight. Making his collegiate debut with a hit, he made history as the first Division One college baseball player to record a hit with a prosthetic leg after losing his right leg in a tragic boating accident. It was a heartwarming moment that drew cheers from fans and players alike.

Additionally, junior infielder Dixon Williams was on fire, driving in four RBIs with two hits that included a homer and a double. Completing the offensive onslaught, senior designated hitter/catcher John Collins also contributed with two hits, including a two-run homer, adding another four RBIs to his name. Talk about teamwork!

Game 2: An Offensive Explosion

Saturday’s game was no less exciting, as ECU displayed striking offensive prowess with a whopping 19-6 victory. Just like the first game, this one also ended in the seventh inning due to the run rule. The Pirates scored an astounding 17 unanswered runs within the first two innings, leaving fans jumping with joy.

Freshman infielder Braden Burress had a breakout moment, hitting a grand slam for his very first collegiate home run, further adding to his team’s lead. And let’s not forget about sophomore infielder RHP Colby Wallace, who nailed a three-run homer and earned his first save of the season. The excitement continued to build as the players showcased their skills and determination.

Game 3: A Nail-Biter

The excitement continued into Sunday, but this time things were a bit more competitive. The final game of the series saw ECU edge out William and Mary with a close score of 9-8. ECU had a powerful start, scoring six runs in the first inning. However, they faced stiff competition from William and Mary, who made a comeback effort, making this a nail-biting finish.

Junior RHP Ethan Young prevailed with a stellar performance, securing his second win of the season by pitching four innings and striking out ten batters. It was a tense showdown, but the Pirates held on to seal their series sweep.

Looking Ahead

As the Pirates bask in the glow of their recent successes, they will soon face the University of North Carolina Wilmington before diving into conference play against Memphis. The excitement is building, and fans are eager to see how the team will continue to perform. With the momentum from this weekend, the Pirates are poised to take the upcoming challenges head-on.