Pirates pull away from Cajuns late to win series opener, 7-1

The victory was East Carolina’s first over UL-Lafayette in three games

Chris Heston has had some excellent outings for the Pirates in his initial season in the purple and gold; however, perhaps none have been as good as the gem he delivered in his club’s 7-1 series opening win over Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday night at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Heston, who improved to 7-0 with the victory, retired the first 11 batters he faced. However, he did have to pitch out of a largely self-inflicted, two-out bases loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth.
From that point on, the junior right-hander, who fanned a career-high 11 while walking only two—was lights out as he would only surrender a single in the fifth en route to a two-hit, shutout eight inning effort.

“I thought the big part for Chris tonight was getting out of the bases loaded jam. He cruised from there on out and was outstanding,” said fourth-year East Carolina head coach Billy Godwin.

Heston’s mastery of the Ragin’ Cajuns line-up was critical given that UL-Lafayette starter Zach Osborne’s only run allowed through six was a solo shot by Ryan Wood in the bottom of the first.

“The story of the day was Heston pitching well with a 1-0 lead,” stressed the Pirates’ Godwin in his postgame comments.

After being unable to solve Osborne through six, Devin Harris led off the Pirates’ half of the seventh with a single to center. Dustin Harrington proceeded to lay down the sac bunt to move Harris into scoring position with only one out, but UL-Lafayette catcher Thad Griffen committed a throwing error. The Pirates made it hurt as Drew Schieber—who was the only Pirate to post a multi-hit game—drove in his 47 th and 48 th runs of the season on a two-run double into the right field corner.

East Carolina would place another three-spot on the board in the eighth.

Batts led off the inning by reaching third on an error by Ragin’ Cajun center fielder Matt Goulas—who began the game in left field, but was moved to center when Alex Fuselier pinch hit for starter Kyle Olasin in the top of the inning. Clean-up hitter Kyle Roller would follow with a single to center before Brandon Henderson delivered the knock out blow with a three-run blast to center off the newly erected batter’s eye.

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Pirate closer Seth Simmons was unable to preserve the shutout, as he allowed a one-out solo shot by ULL first baseman Kyle Whipple. Simmons responded by sitting down the next two Cajun hitters in order to slam the door on the Pirates’ Sun Belt Conference foe.

With the victory, East Carolina improved to 33-14. The Pirates will send sophomore Seth Maness (6-0, 4.75) to the mound on Saturday.

The Ragin’ Cajuns will counter with Justin Robichaux (1-1, 2.81)—the son of head coach Tony Robichaux. Robichaux will be making just his third start of the season. In 32 innings of action spread over 13 appearances, he has struck out 26 and walked eight while limiting opponents to a .256 mark at the plate.

First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. at Clark-LeClair Stadium/Lewis Field.