WILMINGTON, N.C. – Senior Mandi Nichols went 3-for-3 with two doubles to lead East Carolina to a 2-1 victory in game one while the Pirates used a six-run first inning to take game two 13-0 in a doubleheader sweep of UNC Wilmington Wednesday at Boseman Field.

ECU improves to 38-8 on the year and extends its winning streak to five games. The Seahawks fall to 17-21 on the year with the pair of losses against ECU.

Nichols finished 4-for-4 on the day with two doubles and two runs batted in to lead the Pirates. Senior Shirley Burleson was 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and four runs batted in. Junior Ashley Chunn was 1-for-4 with a double and a run batted in for the Seahawks.

Both teams traded runs in the second inning of game one as senior Kate Manuse gave ECU a 1-0 lead on her 10th home run of the season before the Seahawks tied the game at one on a double to leftfield off the bat of Chunn to score sophomore Kelli Adcox from second.

The Pirates took the lead for good in the top of the third when Nichols doubled to left center to give ECU a 2-1 edge.

ECU Sophomore Keri Harrell got the win for the Pirates to improve her record to 19-6. Harrell scattered five hits while striking out six. Junior Jennifer Bosley took the loss for the Seahawks in game one falling to 6-8 on the year. Bosley allowed six hits while striking out four Pirate batters.

ECU exploded for six runs in the top of the first in game two. The Pirates scored their runs on three hits, three walks and one Seahawk error. Nichols increased the ECU advantage to 7-0 in the second on a single up the middle before the Pirates tacked on six more runs in the fourth for the final margin. The game was called after five innings due to the eight-run rule.

Junior Stephanie Hayes went all five innings for the Pirates to improve to 8-1. Hayes faced just 16 batters, allowing one hit and striking out three. Sophomore Jess Luckett suffered the loss, falling to 8-9 on the year.

The Pirates return to action Friday when the team hosts Conference USA foe Houston in doubleheader action beginning at 1 p.m. at the ECU Softball Field. The Pirates and the Cougars will play the final game of the three-game series Saturday at 11 a.m.