Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
East Carolina
No. 19 East Carolina Outlasts Baseball, 7-6
3/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 27, 2009
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Sophomore first baseman Victor Gomez launched a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough as No. 19 East Carolina held on for a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Thundering Herd in game one of a Conference USA baseball doubleheader at Appalachian Power Park.
With the loss, Marshall slips to 10-13 overall, 2-2 C-USA, while East Carolina improves to 19-4 overall, 4-0 in league action.
Trailing 7-5 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Gomez lifted a ball to deep right center field, bringing the Herd to within one at 7-6. From there, reliever Seth Simmons entered in place of Bailey Daniels and prevented the tying run from crossing the plate, picking up his third save in the process.
Marshall starter Ryan Kiel suffered the loss and falls to 2-2 overall, while East Carolina starter Chris Heston earned his fourth victory of the season and moves to 4-0 on the year.
The Pirates struck first in the top of the second inning when Dustin Harrington blasted a two-run homer to left field, giving East Carolina an early edge, 2-0.
Marshall responded in the home half of the second when Gomez singled to right field and moved to third on a double to left by junior third baseman Josh Valle. Freshman designated hitter Thor Meeks brought Gomez in with a sacrifice fly that advanced Valle to third. Sophomore catcher Kevin Shackelford then drilled a one-out single to the left side of the infield allowing Valle to cross the dish with the game-tying run.
In the bottom of the fourth frame, Marshall took a two-run lead when Meeks singled to right center field before senior left fielder Brandon Casamassima hammered a pitch over the left field fence, making the score 4-2. From there, the Herd loaded the bases, but could not add to its lead.
East Carolina responded in the fifth when Stephen Batts smacked a three-run dinger to right field, allowing the Pirates to reclaim the lead, 5-4.
East Carolina added to its lead in the sixth on the strength of a Marshall throwing error and an RBI single by Ryan Wood, extending the Pirates' lead to 7-4
Marshall got a run back in the bottom of the seventh when Meeks drew a bases loaded RBI walk, but the Herd could do no more damage as Daniels entered in relief and struck out the side keeping the score at 7-5.
Gomez finished 3-for-4 on the day with a home run and two runs scored, while Casamassima picked up two hits and a pair of RBIs to lead the Herd offense.
Southpaw Andrew Blain pitched three scoreless innings of relief, scattering just three hits and fanning six batters. Sophomore righty Justin Moore tossed the last inning for the Herd and struck out a Pirate batter.
