VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- Junior college transfer Shirley Burleson hit a grand slam home run to cap off a six-run fourth inning to propel East Carolina over George Mason, 9-2, at the Dixie Classic on Sunday.

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the fourth, ECU (11-2-1) put its first three runners on base to set the stage for Burleson. After Mandi Nichols led off the inning with a single, Krista Jessup and Lara Brickhouse were issued consecutive base-on-balls. Burleson followed with her first career home run to give the Pirates a 5-2 advantage.

Kristen Johnson later doubled home Lacassa Hill, who singled following Burleson's grand slam. Two more free passes loaded the bases again, and Andiey Acosta drew the Pirates' fifth walk of the inning to plate the sixth run of the inning.

ECU added two more runs in the sixth as Dany'ele Hill singled home a run and Leigh Savoy scored on a ground out by Acosta.

Christine Sheridan and Johnson each collected a pair of hits as the Pirates pounded out 10 hits in all. Brentley Bridgeforth picked up the victory allowing two runs on nine hits.

The Pirates open Conference USA play on Tuesday with a doubleheader at Houston.