Pirates conclude season with 8-3 loss to Cougars

BYU advances to its first-ever Super Regional

Anytime you lose your first game and are forced to battle back through the loser’s bracket, you know it’s going to be a tough road.

East Carolina (44-18) placed itself in that situation when it dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to BYU in the first game of the Austin Regional at the University of Texas.

However, the Pirates responded with a 3-0 win against Iona and then posted another shutout when it ended No. 7 Texas’ season with a 1-0 victory over the Longhorns.

With a fairly fresh Toni Paisley, maybe East Carolina could do the improbable and advance to the Super Regional round with two victories over BYU?

The Pirates found themselves up 2-0 after three after run-scoring singles by Gusman-Brown and Jiminez.

The Cougars cut their deficit to 2-1 in the fourth. Paisley plunked Davis-Atagi and Purcell-Fitu reached on a throwing error. Dugas singled to second base to get BYU on the board.

In the fifth, BYU hit the Pirates’ ace and one of the nation’s best more than anyone had all season. The Cougars, who pounded out 17 hits in the game, scored six runs on seven hits in the inning. Purcell-Fitu had a two-run double down the left field line to put the BYU ahead. Willard, Vance-Kellum and Clayton all followed with rbi singles.

Up 7-2, the Cougars tacked on another in the seventh. Clayton singled with two outs and Quiocho tripled to center to score her.

The Pirates loaded the bases in their last at-bat, but were able to push across just one run.

Clayton led BYU with her 4-for-5 effort while Gusman Brown and Sumner each had two hits apiece for East Carolina.

BYU starter Paige Affleck went the distance to get the win. She allowed three runs on nine hits.

The Cougars advance to their first super regional while East Carolina’s season ends after its deepest tournament run in school history.