No. 13 Pirates overwhelm ODU

After dropping two of three in their season opening series against now No. 1 UVA, the Diamond Pirates powered past ODU, 11-2, on Tuesday afternoon.

The Monarchs (3-1) struck first by pushing across a run in the top of the second, but the Pirates would knot the game in the bottom of the frame with freshman John Wooten's third homerun of the season. ECU would push across two more in the inning and a single run in the third. It remained 4-1 until the sixth when ECU busted it open with a five-spot on the strength of senior Kyle Roller's first homerun of the season--a three-run shot to left center. The Pirates tacked on two more in the bottom of the eighth when sophomore catcher Zach Wright homered to center.

As well the Pirates swung the bats, they were just as good on the mound. Zach Woods, who struggled in his ECU debut on Friday vs. UVA, went six strong innings--allowing just a run on three hits. He struck out eight while walking just one.

Brad Mincey, Mike Wright and Seth Simmons each posted two strikeouts in their inning of relief. Wright did allow a solo homerun to right center, which accounted for ODU's second run.

East Carolina (2-2) will now prepare for its second high-profile series in as many weekends. The college baseball world's eyes will be focused on Clark-LeClair Stadium, as the tenth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks will visit for a highly-anticipated three-game set.

After its season-opening series with No. 2 UVA attracted nearly 15,000 fans, this match-up will likely draw just as many and quite possibly more if the weather is as good as it was last weekend.