Pirates rally for 6-3 win, sweep Milwaukee

East Carolina improves to 3-0

Junior Tyler Joyner turned in a stellar relief effort and Corey Thompson and Timothy Younger had three-hit games to highlight East Carolina’s come-from-behind, sweep clinching 6-3 victory over Milwaukee on Saturday evening at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

East Carolina (3-0) was retired in order in the first two innings by Milwaukee starter Cale Tassi before Tim Younger produced the Pirates’ first hit with a two-out single in the third.

After having baserunners in each of the first three innings off Pirate starter Austin Chrismon, the Panthers (0-3) took their first lead of the series and knocked the sophomore from the game in the fourth.

Clean-up batter Paul Hoenecke reached on an error by ECU shortstop Jack Reinheimer and Will Fadness followed with a double into the left field corner. Sam Koenig reached on an infield single—a high chopper almost directly over the mound—to plate Hoenecke. Koenig stole second base before Nick Lingvay grounded out to short to score Fadness.

With the score at 2-0, Billy Godwin opted to insert junior lefty Tyler Joyner. Joyner allowed a run-scoring groundout by Mitch Ghelfi, but got the Pirates out of the inning.

ECU finally got on the board when John Wooten led off the fifth with a homer to left. Drew Reynolds and Tim Younger delivered one out singles, but the Pirates couldn’t push anymore across.

Milwaukee had chances to extend its lead in the sixth, as Hoenecke drew a lead off walk before advancing to third on Fadness’ single to right. However, the Panthers couldn’t capitalize despite having runners on the corners with no outs. The final out of the frame was recorded when Jack Reinheimer went deep into the hole to rob Mitch Ghelfi of an rbi-single.

Trailing 3-1 going to the bottom of the seventh, the Pirates first two batters reached as Wooten walked on four straight and Cannon reached on an infield single. Reynolds bunted them into scoring position to set the stage for Tim Younger’s game-tying single to left. Then, with two down, Corey Thompson came through with a two-run double to right that gave ECU its first advantage of the game at 5-3.

After Joyner had a second straight 1-2-3 inning in the eighth, Jay Cannon provided some insurance with a sacrifice fly that was caught against the wall in left field. Pinch runner Bryan Bass cruised home to make it 6-3.

Versatile two-way player Drew Reynolds, who recorded the save in the season opener, made quick work of Milwaukee in the ninth. The sophomore with the low arm slot struck out the first two Panthers he faced before getting a groundout to end the game and earn his second save.

Younger was 3-for-3 with two RBI while Thompson was 3-for-4 with two RBI and a double. John Wooten went 1-fo-3 with a walk and his first homer of the season.

Will Fadness led Milwaukee with his 3-for-4 performance at the plate, as he collected half of his team hits.

East Carolina will resume action on Wednesday when it travels to Norfolk to play Old Dominion.

Check back with cusa-fans.com for its preview of that game.

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