No. 27 Pirates shut out Seahawks, 5-0

East Carolina earns fourth straight win with victory over in-state foe UNCW

Freshman hurler Jeff Hoffman worked 6.1 strong innings and earned his first collegiate victory as No. 27 East Carolina captured a 5-0 victory at UNC-Wilmington's Brooks Field on Tuesday night.

The Pirates, who improved to 20-8 with the win, used a pair of walks to Drew Reynolds and John Wooten and a single by Corey Thompson to load the bases with one out in their first at-bat. Jay Cannon proceeded to deliver a two-run single down the left field line to give ECU a 2-0 edge. Following a pitching change, Ben Fultz produced a two-out single off Jack Lane to extend the Pirates' advantage to 3-0.

After not having more than one base runner in any of the first four innings, UNCW (15-13) mounted its most serious threat yet in the fifth.

Corey Dick and Michael Bass led off the frame with back-to-back singles. Josh Abshire attempted to bunt them into scoring position, but Hoffman was able to record the force out at third. The freshman was then able to get Campbell to ground out and strike out Tyler Molinaro to end the threat.

The Seahawks squandered two more scoring opportunities in the sixth and seventh innings.

Ridge and Farber reached via consecutive singles with just one out in the sixth.

Then, in the seventh, Hoffman issued a leadoff walk to Bass and reliever Jake Harris provided a free pass with two outs to Molinaro. However, Dylan Dickens was able to get Cain to fly out to keep the Hawks off the board.

After being unable to capitalize on an opportunity to add some insurance runs in the eighth, the Pirates tacked on two in the ninth.

Younger, Reynolds, and Thompson loaded the bases with no outs with consecutive singles. Wooten hit into a 4-2 fielder's choice, but Cannon was hit by a pitch and Wright was walked to force in runs.

Jay Cannon drove in three runs while five Pirates had two-hit games as ECU outhit UNCW, 11-7.

Hoffman allowed five hits and struck out seven in 6.1 innings.

Tanner Merritt worked 1.2 hitless innings to notch his fifth save.

Hunter Ridge and Drew Farber each went 2-for-3 to lead the Seahawks.

The Pirates will resume CUSA play on Thursday night when they welcome the Houston Cougars to Clark-LeClair Stadium for the first of three games. First-pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.