The East Carolina University baseball team opened the American Athletic Conference tournament with a 4‑3 victory over Rice on a crisp Friday morning in Florida. The game swung early when Rice capitalized on two ECU errors in the top of the first inning, taking a quick lead.
A Turning Point in the Third
ECU answered back in the bottom of the third when Jack Herring launched a homer that tied the contest. The hit shifted momentum and gave the Pirates a spark that carried into the fourth inning.
Building on that energy, the Pirates extended their advantage to 4‑1 in the fourth frame, pulling ahead comfortably. The score seemed secure until Rice mounted a late rally, scoring two runs across the sixth through ninth innings.
Holding the Line
Despite the late surge, ECU’s pitching staff kept the pressure at bay, preserving the narrow margin and sealing the win. The final outs were recorded without further incident, delivering a hard‑fought triumph for the Pirates.
Looking ahead, ECU is set to play again on Saturday at 10 a.m., facing the winner of the UTSA versus Memphis matchup. The team remains focused on carrying the momentum from this opening victory into the next round of the tournament.