Smithmyer buys time for Bucs to awaken

From electronic and staff reports
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Reliever Andy Smithmyer snuffed out a first-inning uprising by William & Mary and went on to hold the Tribe in check until East Carolina's offense came alive in a 14-3 triumph Wednesday night at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

A junior righthander, Smithmyer struck out eight during six innings of four-hit, shutout ball after William & Mary (24-16) chased Pirate starter DeShorn Lake by scoring two runs, one earned, in the game's first 2/3 of an inning.

The scored was tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the sixth when the Pirates leveraged eight runs from five singles, a squeeze play, a wild pitch, a walk and a pair of critical errors by Tribe shortstop Josh Mason.

By the time Smithmyer (3-2) gave way to junior lefthander Jake Harris after fanning the first two batters in the seventh, East Carolina (26-11-1) was firmly in control courtesy of the offensive explosion.

William & Mary starter Matt Wainman (3-4) kept East Carolina bottled up on two runs, one earned, until heading to the showers after surrendering the first three runs in ECU's decisive outburst. The junior righthander uncorked two wild pitches during his 5 2/3-inning stint and gave up five runs, four earned, on ten hits.

KEY ECU STATS FROM THE GAME

Five players accounted for 13 of the Pirates' 16 base hits:

• Sophomore shortstop Jack Reinheimer was 3-for-4.

• Senior third baseman Corey Thompson was 3-for-4.

• Sophomore designated hitter/pitcher Drew Reynolds was 3-for-5.

• Junior catcher Sam King was 2-for-3.

• Sophomore first baseman Chase McDonald was 2-for-4, with both hits coming in the sixth inning.

Three players accounted for eight of East Carolina's 13 runs scored:

• Reinheimer scored three runs.

• King scored three runs.

• Junior outfielder Jay Cannon scored two runs, both in the sixth inning.

East Carolina had only one extra-base hit, a double by junior outfielder Philip Clark.

The Pirates committed no errors.

KEY WILLIAM & MARY STATS FROM THE GAME

The Tribe had nine base hits and committed five errors.

Sophomore third baseman/shortstop Ryan Lindemuth and freshman shortstop Josh Mason were each guilty of two errors.

The team's parade of four hurlers collectively let loose four wild pitches and hit two batsmen.

Freshman outfielder Josh Smith had the game's only home run, a ninth-inning shot to left field served up by ECU closer Reynolds.

East Carolina now hits the road for a crucial Conference USA series this weekend against Rice. The Pirates and Owls will square off at Reckling Park on Friday (7:30 p.m.), Saturday (3 p.m.) and Sunday (12 p.m.).

PAGE UPDATED 04/19/12 05:36 AM.

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