Long ball helps Pirates capture series

From electronic and staff reports
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Chase McDonald's two-run homer staked East Carolina to an early lead and Luke Lowery's round-tripper in the ninth provided the decisive edge as the Pirates claimed a 4-2 Conference USA victory over Tulane Sunday at Turchin Stadium.

Coming on the heels of a 3-2 13-inning marathon win over the Green Wave on Friday and a 5-4 12-inning loss on Saturday, ECU's Sunday triumph clinched its first win of a league series this season.

After Lowery's one-out homer to left in the top of the ninth broke a 2-2 tie, Bryan Bass singled up the middle, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Bass then scored an insurance run on Jack Reinheimer's single to right.

ECU designated hitter-turned-closer Drew Reynolds (3-1) retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame to seal the outcome and earn credit for the victory.

Reynolds took over for reliever Jake Harris with one out in the eighth and a man on second. After walking the first two batters he faced to load the bases, Reynolds got out of the jam with a strikeout and a groundout.

Ryan Williams started for the Pirates and surrendered seven hits over 5 2/3 innings. Williams was lifted for Harris with two outs in the sixth after giving up two runs on a double and three singles.

Starter David Napoli logged eight solid innings for the Wave, fanning eight and parceling out four hits and four bases on balls.

Two of the hits came in the second when Nick Thompson singled and McDonald homered down the right field line to put the Pirates in front 2-0.

The score was knotted at 2-2 when Napoli gave way to Ian Gibaut to open the ninth.

That's when ECU got its bats heated up and dinged Gibaut for two runs on three hits, including Lowery's homer.

The Pirates will host non-conference rival UNC-Wilmington on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before hitting the road for another league series next weekend at UAB.

PAGE UPDATED 04/15/13 03:48 AM.

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