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GREENVILLE, NC - Rice (25-10, 7-1) dug itself a 5-0 hole after three innings, but it outscored East Carolina 9-1 over the final six frames to collect its second win in as many days.  With the come from behind win, the Owls clinched their 11th straight C-USA series and have not dropped one since entering the league prior to last season.

A week ago, the Pirates (21-11, 4-4) had the nation's longest winning streak at 14, but they have now lost three straight and five of their last six.

After being shut out in Friday night's series opener, the No. 22 Pirates sought to jump on the eighth-ranked Owls early in Saturday's contest.

Owls' starter Matt Langwell entered the game with a record of 3-1 and a 2.17 ERA, but he had also struggled with his command as of late.  Those control problems finally caught up with him in this one.  Rice's sophomore righty, who had issued nine walks in his last two starts, walked five batters and surrendered four runs (two earned) despite allowing only a single hit.

Forced to go to his bullpen with only one out in the second inning, Rice's Wayne Graham called on junior Scott Lonergan.  With runners on first and second, the 6'5" righty immediately gave up an RBI-single to Dale Mollenhauer.  He then walked Stephen Batts to load the bases for the Pirates' clean-up hitter Ryan Tousley.  Tousley plated ECU's fourth run when he grounded out to first, but Lonergan escaped further damage when he got Corey Kemp to ground out to shortstop. 

The Pirates extended their lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the third.  The Owls' Lonergan plunked Brandon Henderson to start the inning.  With two outs and Henderson still at second, Ryan Wood came through with a clutch RBI-single to left.

After cruising through the first three innings, East Carolina starter Dustin Sasser began to suffer from some control problems in the fourth.  Jordan Dodson led off the inning by singling to left.  Following a walk to clean-up hitter Joe Savery, Aaron Luna delivered a run-scoring single to center.  Next, Danny Lehmann walked.  However, the Pirates avoided any further trouble when they got Jess Buenger to ground into an inning ending 4-6-3 double play.

ECU would not be as fortunate in the fifth, as Rice would put up a five spot to take a 6-5 lead that they would not relinquish.  The Owls did their damage by combining three hits with two walks, a hit batsman and an error.  Aaron Luna, who doubled twice in Friday's game, laid the biggest blow when he ripped a two-run double off newly inserted Pirate reliever Brett Butts.

The Owls opened up a three-run lead in the seventh when Joe Savery drove in two runs with his one out double down the left field line.

In the bottom of the inning, the Pirates answered with a run of their own to close the gap to two at 8-6.  However, only a tremendous play by Rice left fielder Jordan Dodson and a stern wind kept the Owls on top. 

With one out and runners on first and second, Rice's Wayne Graham inserted stud reliever/closer Bobby Bramhall.  After striking out Dale Mollenhauer, he walked Stephen Batts to load the bases for the heart of the Pirates' line-up.  After Ryan Tousley lined out to score Ryan Wood, catcher Corey Kemp lofted a ball to deep right field.  The Owls' Jordan Dodson went back to the fence, reached above the wall and made a magnificent catch that allowed RIce to maintain an 8-6 advantage through six.

Rice manufactured an insurance run off the Pirates' Jason Neitz in the ninth.  Aaron Luna reached and advanced to second on a throwing error by shortstop Dale Mollenhauer.  Travis Reagan bunted him to third and he scored when Jess Buenger singled up the middle.

The Owls would not need the insurance though, as Rice's Bramhall continued his dominance of East Carolina hitters in the ninth and notched his fourth save of the season.  Rice's stud reliever struck out six and didn't allow a hit in his four innings of work.

Ryan Wood was the only Pirate to collect more than one hit, as he went 2-of-3 with two singles, a walk and an RBI.  Ryan Tousley and Brandon Henderson had 1-of-4, 2-RBI efforts.

Aaron Luna led Rice with a second straight 2-of-4 performance.  The Owls' designated hitter drove in three runs in the game.

Pirate starter Dustin Sasser fell to 3-2 on the season, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits in 4.1 innings of work.

East Carolina will attempt to avoid the sweep on Sunday.  The Pirates will have their work cut out for them though, as they will face Owls' star lefty Joe Savery.  ECU will counter with sophomore righty Josh Dowdy.

First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM (EST) at Clark-LeClair Stadium, Lewis Field.