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Bristow And Ray Lead Pirates Past Tide, 16-1
June 1, 2008
CONWAY, S.C. - Junior right-hander Justin Bristow scattered four hits over seven innings and allowed one run and struck out seven as second-seeded East Carolina eliminated third-seeded Alabama from the Conway Regional 16-1 Sunday afternoon at Watson Stadium. The Pirates (42-20) advance to play top-seed Coastal Carolina at 7 p.m., while the Crimson Tide (35-28) was eliminated from the regional. Bristow, who improved to 9-2 on the season, helped the Pirates pitching staff by working seven full innings before passing the ball to Brad Mincey for the final two frames. Mincey fanned two batters and allowed one walk. Alabama starter Del Howell fell to 1-1 on the season after working 2.1 innings where he allowed six runs (all earned) on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Casey Kebodeaux faced four batters recording one out and giving up three runs on two hits. Nathan Kilcrease (3.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) and Austin Evans (3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) allowed a combined six runs in the final 6.1 innings. Jamie Ray drove in his fifth run of the regional in the first inning scoring Harrison Eldridge from second base for an early 1-0 Pirate lead. Eldridge led off the frame with an infield single then took second on a Howell wild pitch. Ryan Wood gave ECU a 2-0 lead in the second when he laced a double to center field that scored Kyle Roller from second. Roller walked then took second on a passed ball before coming home on Wood's at-bat. Roller and Ray's home runs in the third inning highlighted a seven-run frame that pushed the Pirates lead to 9-0. Stephen Batts doubled down the left field line to start the inning, which was then followed by a Corey Kemp walk. Brandon Henderson picked up his fourth hit of the regional when he doubled down the left field line scoring Batts. Dustin Harrington pushed across Kemp with a sac bunt before Roller smacked his 12th home run of the season to right-center scoring Henderson. Schieber continued the hitting barrage with his second base knock of the game through the left side. After Schieber swiped second, Eldridge followed with a walk setting up Ray's third home run and eighth RBI of the regional. Alabama got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Kent Matthes singled home Brandon May from second base putting the score 9-1 in favor of the Pirates. May reached on a fielder's choice then took second when Matt Bentley was plunked by a Bristow fastball. The Pirates plated three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and seventh and two in the eighth to cap the scoring at 16-1. Eldridge smacked his sixth homer of the season in the fifth while Ray singled in two runs in the eighth. GAME NOTES:
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