Kruczynski and ECU Top Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Evan Kruczynski allowed one run over eight innings, while Parker Lamm drove in a career-best six runs as No. 23 East Carolina defeated Memphis 8-1 Friday in American Athletic Conference action at FedExPark. With the win the Pirates improve to 22-11 overall and 4-3 in league play, while the Tigers fall to 12-22 and 3-4.
Kruczynski (5-0) picked up the win scattering seven hits over his eight frames where he gave up an earned run with six strikeouts. The lefty retired the Tigers in order five times and faced five over the minimum in his eighth quality start of the season. Freshman Denny Brady tossed a scoreless ninth striking out the side and walking two.
Colton Hathcock (4-4) took the loss surrendering four runs (two earned) on nine hits with a pair of walks and four strikeouts. The Tigers used four hurlers out the bullpen in Drew Crosby (1.0 IP, 1 R), Bryan Cruse (0.2 IP, 3 Rs), Trey McNickle (0.1 IP, 1 H) and Trevor Sutton (1.0 IP, 1 H).
The Pirates tallied double-digit hits for the 19th time this season banging out 14 in the contest. All nine starters had at least one base knock with Garrett Brooks (three), Eric Tyler (two) and Travis Watkins (two) recording multiple hits. Lamm drove in six of ECU’s eight runs with three coming on his bases clearing triple in the eighth. Brooks scored a career-best four runs while tying his career-high in hits.
Jake Little led the Tigers with three hits, while Corey Chafin tallied a pair to combined for five of their seven hits.
How It Happened: With the score knotted at one-all in the top of the fifth, Charlie Yorgen slapped an RBI single to center scoring Brooks from second base for a 2-1 advantage, which the Pirates would never relinquish.
Memphis drew first blood on Chafin’s RBI single through the left side that plated Trent Turner from second with two outs for a 1-0 lead.
ECU answered with a run in the top of the third on Lamm’s lineout to center that pushed across Brooks, who led off the frame with a single to right. Brooks stole his third base of the season moving into scoring position and took third on Turner Brown’s single to center before darting home on Lamm’s shot to center.
Lamm plated the Pirates third and fourth runs of the contest in the seventh extending the lead to 4-1. With Brooks standing on third and Brown on second, Lamm dropped a sac bunt down towards Crosby on the mound who threw over to Turner covering first for the second out of the frame. On the play, Brooks scored easily from third and Brown caught the Tigers napping and scored from second base.
The combination of Brooks and Lamm padded the Pirates lead to seven, 8-1, as the two combined to drive in all four runs in the eighth inning. Brooks singled home Harman from second on a base hit to right field, where he ended up on third base thanks to a throwing error by Little. Brown and Yorgen drew consecutive walks to load the bases for Lamm, who stroked a bases clearing triple to center field capping the scoring on the night.
Game Notes: ECU had five two-out RBI pushing its season total to 72 … Lamm’s six RBI are the second-most by a Pirate this season (Tyler had a school and conference record eight against Jacksonville Mar. 26) … In Lamm’s last two games, he has collected five hits and drove in nine runs … Brooks’ four runs were the most by a Pirate since 2012, when John Wooten four against Houston on April 6 … Brady’s three punch-outs tied a career-high … Kirk Morgan extended his current hitting streak to six games (at least one hit in 16 of last 17), while pushing his on-base streak to 17 consecutive contests … The Pirates improve to 15-4 when they have recorded 10 or more hits.
Up Next:ECU will look to claim its second AAC series of the year when it returns to action on Saturday, April 16. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. (ET) at FedExPark.
