East Carolina tops Tulane, 5-1, in series opener

Four Pirates have multi-hit games against the Green Wave

Mike Wright and Brad Mincey teamed up on a two-hitter and the Pirates outhit the Green Wave, 12-2, as East Carolina earned a 5-1 series opening victory over Tulane at Turchin Stadium on Thursday evening.

After leaving two on in each of the first two innings, the Pirates (35-18, 12-10) got to Green Wave starter David Napoli for a couple in the third.

Following a Corey Thompson leadoff double, Trent Whitehead singled up the middle to make it 1-0. Zach Wright delivered another single, the Pirates’ third straight hit, to put runners on first and second with no outs. Napoli managed to get Chase McDonald to ground into a double play, but John Wooten extended the lead to 2-0 with an infield single.

ECU took that 2-0 lead into the seventh as Pirate starter Mike Wright allowed just two hits in the first six frames.

After increasing its advantage to 3-0 on a Zach Wright sac fly to center in the top of the inning, Tulane (30-22, 10-12) got on the board in the bottom of the seventh. Mike Wright walked Schaffer and Schneeberger to start the inning and allowed them to advance into scoring position with a wild pitch. Ace reliever Brad Mincey was inserted, but he also struggled with command and walk two straight to score Schaffer. However, ECU escaped further damage with a 1-2 fielder’s choice and a 6-4-3 double play.

The Pirates added some insurance they wouldn’t need wind up needing when Austin Homan came through with a two-run pinch-hit single in the ninth.

Whitehead, Wooten, Ussery and Reinheimer all had two hits for East Carolina.

> Check out our great selection of ECU Pirates apparel & merchandise & be sure to follow the 2011 College World Series online through DFN Sports Sites!

Pirate starter Mike Wright improved to 6-3 with the victory. He surrendered just two hits in six innings. Brad Mincey walked three, but didn’t allow a hit over the final three frames.

East Carolina and Tulane will square off again on Friday night when Seth Maness takes the hill against the Green Wave’s Conrad Flynn.

With a victory, the Pirates can clinch the third seed for next week’s CUSA Tournament in Pearl, MS.