Monarchs rule behind clutch pitching

From electronic and staff reports
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Starter Jake Josephs tamed East Carolina's bats for five innings and three relievers managed to keep the Pirates on the short end of the scoreboard the rest of the way as Old Dominion claimed a 5-3 victory Tuesday evening at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Josephs was masterful during his stint, parceling out three hits, hitting one batter and walking none. Forty-six of his 62 pitches were strikes and he faced only 17 batters as two of the four base runners he allowed were neutralized by double plays.

The stellar performance by the freshman southpaw from Fairfax Station (VA) South County High School gave the Monarchs a chance to build a 2-0 lead on freshman outfielder Connor Myers' third inning homer and senior second baseman Austin McGowan's fifth inning RBI single.

ECU starter Nick Durazo, also a freshman lefthander, put in six solid innings, surrendering the two runs on six hits, a hit batsman and a base on balls.

In the top of the seventh, ODU chased reliever Deshorn Lake after 2/3 of an inning, getting to the sophomore righthander for two hits and an intentional walk. One of the hits was a leadoff homer by junior third baseman Jordan Negrini.

Junior leftie Grayson Bailey took over for Lake and lasted only batter, serving up a triple to sophomore outfielder Josh Eldridge.

The Pirates trailed 5-0 by the time sophomore righthander Dylan Dickens ended the inning with a strikeout.

ECU came back with three runs of its own in the bottom of the frame on outfielder Dylan Brown's two-run double and pinch hitter Philip Clark's RBI groundout.

The Pirates threatened in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with one out. But senior righthanded closer Brandon Smith got the final outs on an infield pop up and a fly ball.

Joseph (2-0) got credit for the victory, while Durazo (0-1) took the loss.

The outcome boosted the Monarchs to 9-5 on the season.

ECU fell to 9-6 heading into a Wednesday twilight contest at Campbell (6 p.m.). The Camels captured a 6-4 win over the Pirates in Greenville on Feb. 19.

PAGE UPDATED 03/13/13 01:23 AM.

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