For a moment, it looked like East Carolina’s baseball team might overcome a disastrous six-run seventh inning, but their comeback fell just short in a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to Kent State on Friday night in the Keith LeClair Classic at Clark-LeClair Stadium. The defeat dropped ECU to 3-6 on the season, while Kent State improved to 2-5.
The Pirates seemed in control, leading 4-1, until Kent State erupted for two three-run homers in the seventh inning—both with two outs—to take a 7-4 lead. ECU fought back, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh to make it 7-6 and loading the bases with one out in the ninth. However, John Collins grounded into a double play to end the game, leaving the Pirates just short of a dramatic win.
“They’re all tough. When you invest as much as we do into it, it sucks,” ECU head coach Cliff Godwin said. “Losing sucks. Our kids battled, but we didn’t do enough to win. It’s tough to win when you give up a six-spot. It’s not anybody’s fault, but it just makes it tough to come back from that.”
ECU starter Ethan Norby pitched well, allowing three runs over 6.2 innings with nine strikeouts and one walk. However, reliever Brad Pruett struggled, giving up a game-tying three-run homer to Alejandro Covas and two more hits before freshman Gabe Beschloss surrendered a go-ahead three-run blast to Jake Casey, turning a 4-1 lead into a 7-4 deficit in a matter of moments.
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for ECU. Jake Hunter threw two scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts, keeping the Pirates within striking distance. The top of the lineup also delivered, with Alex Peltier going 3-for-4 and Dixon Williams and Colby Wallace each adding two hits. However, the rest of the lineup combined to go just 2-for-20, leaving key opportunities on the table.
ECU will look to bounce back on Saturday against Indiana State, with first pitch set for 4:30 p.m. ET. Indiana State lost 10-2 to Virginia Tech in their opening game of the Classic.
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