Flames torch East Carolina

From electronic and staff reports
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The swagger that East Carolina rediscovered in its sweep through the Keith LeClair Classic reverted to a wobble Wednesday evening as the Pirates absorbed a 14-4 shellacking from Liberty at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

After sailing through last week's KLC with wins over Illinois, Boston College and New Mexico State, the Pirates trailed from start to finish and crashed hard on the rocks when the Flames erupted for six runs in the fourth and seven more in the eighth.

Liberty (5-2) snatched a 1-0 lead in the first on a walk, a single and senior second baseman Bryan Aanderud’s sacrifice fly. But the Flames landed their biggest blows when senior catcher Trey Wimmer belted a grand slam in the fourth and junior outfielder Ryan Cordell replicated the feat four innings later.

ECU (3-4) tallied what amounted to a pair of token runs in both the fourth and ninth innings.

Junior righthander Willi Martin (1-0) started for the Flames and got credit for the win. Martin hurled three no-hit innings before surrendering two runs in the fourth and heading to the showers.

Starter Brett Mabry (0-1) took the loss for the Pirates. The junior righthander gave up a run on a walk, a single and a run-scoring sacrifice fly in one inning of work.

Mabry's exit may have been premature as ECU's revolving door bullpen sent a parade of nine relievers to the mound who collectively gave up 13 hits, issued eight bases on balls, hit four batsmen and were charged with 13 runs.

The Pirates will regroup for a home weekend series with St. John's. The three-game set gets underway Friday at 5 p.m.

PAGE UPDATED 02/28/13 12:12 AM.

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