April 13, 2003

Box Score

GREENVILLE, NC-- - Ryan Martin went 1-for-4 with a two-run single to extend his current season-long hitting streak to nine games, but the Tigers could not produce the timely hit as they left 13 men on base in a 3-2 loss to ECU in the C-USA series finale at Harrington Field.

Memphis mounted a two-out rally in the top of the third inning to break a scoreless tie and take a 2-0 lead. Sophomore rightfielder Jordan Hart and leftfielder Chad House started the rally with consecutive singles. After second baseman Michael Lewis drew a walk to load the bases, Martin extended his hitting streak to nine games by lacing a two-run single through the right side to score Hart and House.

East Carolina clean-up hitter Ryan Norwood broke up Memphis starter Jarrett Grube's no-hitter, in the bottom of the fourth, with a solo shot to left to cut the Tiger lead to 2-1.

ECU gained the advantage in the fifth, beginning with a single by catcher John Poppert. The Pirate backstop moved to second when catcher Kurt Welch's pickoff attempt sailed wide right of first baseman Kyle Sledd. Ben Sanderson then singled just out of the reach of shortstop Brent Dlugach to plate Poppert. An RBI double to right centerfield by shortstop Kevin O'Sullivan scored Sanderson to chase Grube and give the Pirates a 3-2 lead.

The Pirates threatened to score more, but ran themselves out of the inning as O'Sullivan, who had moved to third on a wild pitch and broke for home before reliever Zach Cook began his windup. Cook quickly stepped off the mound throwing the ball to Welch who ran O'Sullivan back to third before making the toss to Kyle Scott for the out.

Chad House led off the seventh inning with a bunt single in which he punched the ball to the right side of the infield and outran ECU reliever Greg Bunn to first. Lewis walked and then teamed with Chad House to execute the double steal. Dlugach subsequently drew a walk to load the sacks, but the tigers were unable to plate any runs.

Grube suffered the loss for Memphis pitching 4.2 innings of no-hit ball, before giving up three runs on five hits and striking one. Zach Cook had a productive outing out of the Tiger bullpen, working one inning of hitless ball.

Will Brinson earned the win for ECU after going 5.2 innings and allowing two runs on five hits, while striking out two. Greg Bunn came on to shut Memphis down, fanning eight Tigers in 3.1 innings.

Chad House went 2-for-5 to lead the Memphis offense.

Memphis will return to the diamond Tues., April 13, when they travel to Murray, Ky. to face the Murray State Thoroughbreds. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. The game will be broadcasted live locally in Memphis on WUMR 91.7 FM.