Box Score

Greenville, N.C. - East Carolina struck for seven runs over the opening two frames that included a first-inning, three-run home run as the home standing Pirates took game two of the three-game nonconference baseball series from Western Carolina, 8-2, on Saturday afternoon at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Western Carolina (0-2) made several improvements on day two of the 2018 season. After striking out 15 times in the season-opener, the Catamounts were only retired on strikes five times on Saturday afternoon. Also, in the field, WCU cleaned things up defensively, committing just one error in the loss. However, WCU stranded nine runners in the loss after leaving eight on base in Friday's opener.

Redshirt junior Matthew Koehler continued his strong start to the 2018 season, collecting his second multi-hit game in as many attempts with a team-best 3-for-5 showing at the plate with an RBI. The Raleigh, N.C., native singled twice and collected his second double of the year to pace WCU, adding a stolen base. Junior Andrew Bullock reached twice on a pair of walks for WCU.

After ECU (2-0) escaped the top of the first inning, stranding a pair of Catamount base runners that reached on the first free passes issued by Pirate pitching this season, the home squad erupted for five runs in the bottom of the frame. ECU took advantage of two walks and four hits including three singles and three-run home run by Spencer Brickhouse to seize a 5-0 lead through one complete. Brickhouse finished the game 1-for-4, but the homer was the second of his season.

The Catamounts battled back a half inning later, though, trimming the deficit back to three with a two-spot of their own. Luke Robinson singled into right field ahead of Spencer Holcomb who drove his second double of the season down the left field line to put two aboard at second and third. Two batters later, freshman Justice Bigbie tallied his first collegiate RBI on an infield groundout before Koehler plated the second run on a run-scoring single through the right side to make it, 5-2.

The rally was short-lived, though, as ECU got both markers back in the bottom of the frame to reclaim the five-run edge. The Pirates tacked on an insurance marker in the seventh after four scoreless frames to provide the final tally.

Making his Catamount debut after being injured last spring, redshirt junior left-hander Taylor Purus (0-1) was tagged with the loss after surrendering seven earned runs on seven hits through five and a third innings. The Hudson, N.C., native worked around four walks -- two of which came in the five-run first -- with a pair of strikeouts.

Redshirt sophomore transfer reliever Blake Therrian made his debut appearance for the Purple & Gold, striking out two with one run allowed on three hits in an inning and two-thirds, while senior Jake Niezen worked around a pair of walks with a fifth WCU strikeout in tossing a hitless, scoreless eighth inning.

ECU starter Jake Agnos was lifted after three innings of work, allowing both Catamount runs on just three hits with three walks and four strikeouts, while Tyler Smith (1-0) tossed four innings of three-hit, scoreless relief to earn the victory, striking out one.

Three Pirates posted multiple-hit games as Nick Barber, Bryant Packard, and Alec Burleson each finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles apiece. Barber scored twice, as did Brady Lloyd who reached three times with a single and two walks.

The series finale is slated for a 1:00 pm first pitch on Sunday afternoon. Freshman RHP Zach Franklin from Marion, N.C., is slated to make his first collegiate start on the mound for the Catamounts.