The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
at East Carolina*
Baseball Team Falls To East Carolina 11-8
5/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2003
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina (29-20-1, 15-10 Conference USA) used a five-run eighth inning to rally for an 11-8 victory over UAB (23-24, 8-16 C-USA) in Conference USA baseball action Friday evening at Harrington Field.
With UAB leading 8-6 in the bottom of the eighth inning, left fielder Jamie Paige doubled to right field, bringing in second baseman Kevin O'Sullivan for the Pirates first run of the inning. Right fielder Ben Sanderson later scored on a wild pitch by Blazer reliever Cody Cillo. First baseman Ryan Norwood followed with a three-run homer to left field to put the Pirates ahead.
East Carolina took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded, Blazer pitcher Lucas Trotter walked Sanderson, bringing in catcher Jake Smith for the Pirates' first run of the inning. Paige followed with a single to right field that scored third baseman Mark Minicozzi.
UAB tied the score in the top of the third inning on a two-run homer to left center field by second baseman Drew Goneke.
East Carolina answered in the bottom of the third with a home run to left field by Norwood.
The Blazers took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth inning on center fielder Sam Clark's two-RBI triple to right center field.
The game was delayed an hour and 40 minutes due to rain and lightening in the area in the fourth inning.
After the delay, UAB added two runs in the top of the fifth inning. First baseman Daniel Hill singled to right field, bringing in right fielder Kyle Leon for the Blazers' first run of the inning. Designated hitter Matt Womble later singled through the left side, scoring Hill. The Blazers led 6-3.
East Carolina answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Shortstop Darryl Lawhorn started the scoring for the Pirates with a solo home run to right center field. Designated hitter Adam Witter followed with a home run to right field to cut the Blazer lead to 6-5.
UAB took an 8-5 lead in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run homer to left field by Leon.
The Pirates got a run in the bottom of the sixth when Paige scored on a wild pitch by Blazer reliever Jeff Brown.
Pirate reliever Neal Sears (4-4) picked up the win after working three innings and allowing no runs on one hit. He walked one and struck out four. Pirate starter Davey Penny pitched four innings and gave up four runs on four hits. He walked three and stuck out four.
Cillo (5-5) took the loss after pitching an inning. He gave up three runs on two hits and walked one. Trotter, who started the game for the Blazers, worked four and one-third innings and allowed five runs on 10 hits, walking two and striking out five.
"I think the delay bothered Lucas (Trotter) a little bit," said UAB head coach Larry Giangrosso. "He gave us one inning after the delay and went out the next inning after that and gave up a couple of home runs. Our offense answered after that and we felt good about our lead. We felt good when Cody (Cillo) came in, but we just couldn't put Norwood away. We felt like we made the right moves in the game and it just didn't work out. We will just have to suit it up and play tomorrow."
UAB and East Carolina will meet in the second game of the series Saturday at 6 p.m. (ET) at Harrington Field.
