Reynolds, ECU take series from Tigers

From electronic and staff reports
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Multi-skilled Drew Reynolds picked up his second save in two days, went 4-for-4 at the plate, had two RBIs and scored the decisive run to help East Carolina claim a 4-3 Conference USA victory over Memphis Sunday afternoon at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

While still in his designated hitter role, Reynolds singled through the right side in the seventh, stole second and came home on Chase McDonald's double to right center for the tiebreaker.

The junior righthander changed hats from designated hitter to pitcher in the ninth and retired the Tigers on three straight flyouts to preserve ECU's one-run margin and earn his 10th save of the season.

Reynolds also closed out the final inning on Saturday as the Pirates pulled even in the series with a 4-3 win. The Tigers won Friday's opener 6-5.

The Pirates gained the advantage early with two runs in the first and one in the second, but the Tigers scratched back with two of their own in the third and one in the sixth.

Reynolds was in the mix in all of ECU's scores, starting with an RBI single to right in the first-inning. The hit drove in Bryan Bass, who had reached on a free pass, moved to second on a bunt single by Jack Reinheimer and advanced to third on a wild pitch.

Reinheimer went to second on the wild pitch, moved to third on Reynolds' single and came home on Zach Houchins' fly to center.

In the second, Travis Watkins singled up the middle, advanced to second on a single to center by Bass, reached third on a fielder's choice grounder by Reinheimer and scored on a single to right by Reynolds.

Andy Smithmyer (2-1) got credit for the win with a solid relief performance over 2 2/3 frames. The senior righthander gave up one hit, struck out four and walked none before handing off the pitching chores to Reynolds to start the ninth.

Heath Hatfield (2-2) took the loss for Memphis. The senior righthanded reliever scattered six hits and gave up only one run over 5 1/3 innings — but it was the run that decided the outcome.

The triumph in the weekend set marked the third series in a row in which ECU has prevailed against league foes.

The Pirates improved to 23-21 overall and 8-7 in the conference, the first time all season they have topped the .500 mark in C-USA games.

Memphis fell to 26-19, 9-8 in the league.

The Pirates travel to Gardner-Webb on Tuesday for a 5 p.m. contest, then return home for a C-USA weekend series with Southern Miss that gets underway at 6 p.m. on Friday.

PAGE UPDATED 04/28/13 08:47 PM.

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