Brandt, Diamond Bucs turn back Crimson Tide, 3-1

Senior lefty improves to 3-1 with stellar performance

Veteran southpaw Kevin Brandt scattered just six hits over eight exceptional innings of work to lead No. 29 East Carolina to a 3-1 win over Alabama on Friday night in both teams opening game of the DRASH Alabama Baseball Classic at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.

The Pirates, who improved to 9-3 with its victory over the Tide, continue to rely on their solid weekend rotation as they failed to produce more than four runs for an eighth straight game.

Following two scoreless frames, East Carolina pushed across its three runs via some two-out damage in the third.

With Ben Fultz, who reached on a one-out single, still standing on first, Bryan Bass beat out an infield single to second. Corey Thompson proceeded to deliver a clutch two-run double to left center. Clean-up hitter Chase McDonald followed with a single to center that extended the ECU advantage to 3-0.

Alabama (5-8) plated its only run in the fourth.

Austen Smith started the inning by doubling to right center, advanced to third on a groundout to short by Cameron Carlisle, and scored when Brett Booth grounded out to second.

Crimson Tide hurlers Charley Sullivan and Jon Keller combined to limit the Pirates to just one hit over the last five innings.

However, the Bama bats couldn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities in the fifth, eighth, and ninth innings.

With runners on first and second in the fifth, Jared Reaves lined a Brandt offering directly to first baseman Chase McDonald who stepped on the bag for an inning ending double play.

Pirate reliever Tanner Merritt retired the first two batters he faced in the ninth, but Brett Booth doubled down the left field line with two outs. Ben Moore followed with a single to short, but Merritt stepped up to strike out pinch-hitter Brandt Hendricks to end the rally.

Designated hitter Drew Reynolds led the Pirates with his 2-for-4 night at the plate. Reynolds was the only ECU player with multiple hits.

Taylor Dugas and Kenny Roberts had 2-for-4 performances for the Crimson Tide.

East Carolina will return to action at 1 p.m. on Saturday when it takes on Oral Roberts at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

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