Photo: Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY
Greenville, NC — Head Coach David Pierce and #9 Texas Baseball travelled to Greenville, North Carolina to begin the Super Regional series against the #8 East Carolina Pirates. Texas gave a valiant effort in a late-inning rally attempt but ultimately fall short in the opener 13-7.
The Longhorns found early momentum with a first inning lead by way of a Murphy Stehly two run home run to left field that brought in Douglas Hodo III.
However, the Pirates answered back and then some. A walk, bunt, and single to right loaded the bases for a pitch to get by Texas catcher Silas Ardoin and score a run. A two RBI single to left field gave the Pirates their first lead that they would continue to build on.
East Carolina enjoyed a three run, fourth inning. A two run homer to left field followed by an RBI single to left gave the Pirates a four run lead before a first pitch homer in the fifth gave them a 7-2 lead.
Texas returned with a trio of solo homers in the sixth and seventh. Ivan Melendez orbited a shot to left field that cleared the tree line while Murphy Stehly directly followed with his second homer of the day, a bomb through right center field. Douglas Hodo III continued Texas’ comeback efforts with a homer to right field, narrowing the Pirates lead to two runs.
East Carolina earned a run back in the seventh but an Ardoin ground rule double and a Jack O’Dowd groundout plated two runs to tighten the Pirates lead to one run.
The Pirates finished with a run in the eighth, featuring a solo homer off of Hodo III’s glove, two RBI singles, and a two RBI double to right field to secure a 13-7 Pirates victory.
Longhorn ace Pete Hansen suffered an unusual outing, allowing five earned runs on seven hits through four innings. Zane Morehouse weathered the Pirates’ onslaught for two innings after allowing his first pitch out of the park. Five different Longhorns pitchers finished the game with Tristan Stevens and Aaron Nixon being the only pitchers to allow runs.
Texas and East Carolina will meet again tomorrow at 11:00 AM in an elimination game for the Longhorns.
Game Stats:
Stehly: (2-4) 3 RBI, 2 HR
Melendez: (1-4) 1 RBI, 1 HR
Hodo III: (2-5) 1 RBI, 1 HR
