Pirates Fall Short in 5-4 Loss to Wichita State
WICHITA, Kan. — East Carolina made a late push but couldn’t overcome a slow start Friday night, falling 5-4 to Wichita State in the series opener at Eck Stadium. The loss dropped the Pirates to 26-20 overall and 10-9 in American Athletic Conference play.
Early Deficit Proves Costly
Wichita State took control early against ECU starter Brad Pruett. The Shockers scored once in the first inning and then plated four more runs in the second, forcing Pruett out of the game after just 1.2 innings. Pruett struggled with command, issuing four walks and allowing three hits without recording a strikeout.
The Pirates quickly turned to Ethan Young out of the bullpen, and the right-hander did an excellent job limiting the damage. Young worked 5.1 scoreless innings, giving up just two hits while striking out seven. His effort kept the Pirates within reach despite the early deficit.
Seventh Inning Rally Comes Up Short
After being held scoreless for six innings, ECU’s offense finally broke through in the seventh. Roger Vergara, coming off the bench, delivered a two-run single into left field to put the Pirates on the board and cut the deficit to 5-2. Moments later, Alex Peltier scored on a ringing RBI double to left-center field by Alex Bouche, pulling ECU within two.
Braden Burress added a sacrifice fly to right field to bring Bouche home and trim the deficit to 5-4, giving the Pirates a real chance at completing the comeback.
Pirates Can't Find the Equalizer
Despite the momentum shift, ECU couldn’t scratch across the tying run. Wichita State closer entered and worked a clean ninth inning to secure the save for the Shockers.
Offensively, Bouche led ECU with a 2-for-4 performance, including a double and an RBI. Vergara was key off the bench, providing two RBIs with his pinch-hit single. Burress, Williams, Wallace, and Herring also chipped in hits for the Pirates, but the early missed opportunities ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Strong Bullpen Work Keeps ECU Alive
While Pruett struggled early, the bullpen did its part to give ECU a chance. Young’s 5.1 scoreless innings featured seven strikeouts and only two hits allowed. Jake Hunter followed by pitching a perfect eighth inning to keep the Pirates within a run heading into the final frame.
In total, ECU’s bullpen tossed 6.1 shutout innings, allowing only two hits and three walks while striking out eight.
Looking Ahead
East Carolina will look to even the series on Saturday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. The Pirates will be aiming to snap a brief one-game losing streak and build some momentum heading into the final month of the regular season.