ECU Falls to UNC in Tight Pitching Duel
DURHAM, N.C. – In a tightly contested matchup at Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP), East Carolina and North Carolina battled through a defensive struggle, with the Tar Heels edging out the Pirates 2-0 in a game defined by dominant pitching and a few timely hits.
Norby’s Strong Start
Ethan Norby set the tone early for ECU, retiring the Tar Heels in order in the first inning with a groundout, strikeout, and a flyout to center field. He carried that momentum into the second, picking up two more strikeouts before surrendering a single to Madera. However, Norby quickly ended the inning with a pop-out to first baseman Austin Irby.
UNC struggled to make consistent contact against Norby, as he struck out two more batters in the third inning before allowing a two-out double to Kane Kepley. After issuing a walk to Tyson Bass, Norby responded with another strikeout to escape the jam.
Through four innings, Norby was in complete control, retiring the side on a pop fly, a groundout, and a flyout to center field.
Tar Heels Break Through in the Fifth
The Tar Heels finally broke through in the fifth inning. After Gavin Gallah led off with a single and Stokley doubled to left field, Kane Kepley drove in a run with a groundout to first base. Tyson Bass then added to the lead with an RBI single, giving UNC a 2-0 advantage.
ECU’s Missed Opportunities
The Pirates had their chances to respond but struggled to capitalize. In the bottom of the fifth, Walker Barron and Alex Peltier reached base with a single and a bunt single, respectively, and Dixon Williams walked to load the bases. However, ECU came up empty as Jack Herring popped out to end the inning.
The Pirates threatened again in the sixth after Austin Irby led off with a single. Freshman Michael Kelnich recorded his first career hit, but ECU failed to bring any runners home as the Tar Heels made a key pitching change, bringing in Ryan Lynch, who helped UNC escape the jam.
Bullpen Holds Strong for ECU
Ethan Young took over for Norby in the seventh and continued the strong pitching performance, striking out one and inducing a groundout to shortstop before walking Kepley. Young, however, quickly recovered, striking out Bass to end the inning.
Young kept UNC off the board again in the eighth with a strikeout, a groundout, and a flyout. In the ninth, Brad Pruett took the mound after Young issued a leadoff walk. Pruett quickly erased the baserunner by catching him stealing, then struck out another batter before inducing a groundout to end the inning.
Final Push Falls Short
ECU’s offense had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth, but UNC’s bullpen remained strong and sent the Pirates down in order.
Despite the loss, ECU’s pitching staff impressed, with Norby, Young, and Pruett keeping the game within reach. However, the Pirates’ offense struggled to find the clutch hit they needed, leaving multiple runners stranded in key situations.
ECU Offensive Stats
Dixon Williams (JR) – 1-for-4 (.158)
Jack Herring (JR) – 0-for-3 (.182)
Austin Irby (FR) – 1-for-3 (.235)
Colby Wallace (SO) – 0-for-4 (.111)
Kenan Bowman (FR) – 1-for-4 (.167)
Michael Kelnich (FR) – 1-for-4 (.200)
Nick Parham (SO) – 0-for-0 (.143)
Walker Barron (SO) – 1-for-4 (.250)
Alex Peltier (FR) – 1-for-3
ECU Pitching Stats
Ethan Norby (L, 0-2) – 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 89 P.
Ethan Young – 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 50 P,
Brad Pruett – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K.
ECU will look to bounce back in their next contest as they continue their non-conference schedule, with their next game set for Sunday at 1 p.m.