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Published Apr 29, 2017
Green Wave Crashes on ECU 5-4 on Saturday to Even Conference Series
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Mark Lindsay  •  PirateIllustrated
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Tulane knocked two home runs in the first inning, scored a pair of runs late in the game and then held off a late ECU rally for a 5-4 AAC win over ECU to even the series at one apiece on Saturday in Clark-LeClair Stadium.

J.P. France moved to 4-3 with the victory while ECU starter Trey Benton suffered his third loss of the season to even his record at 3-3.

“Every pitch matters and we didn’t have the same look in our eyes today as we did yesterday and that’s why we’re inconsistent,” said ECU head coach Cliff Godwin, “Ultimately it’s my job to get them ready to play, but I tell them you’ve got to be ready to play because the other team is going to be ready to play.”

“Offensively that’s been our M.O. all year,” Godwin said, “Anytime you give up a crooked number in the first inning you’re fighting from behind. We had plenty of opportunities but we didn't do it. We didn't execute enough pitches on the mound and we didn't execute offensively and our hitting I thought was pretty poor.”

A pair of first inning homers from Hunter Williams and Jarret DeHart off of ECU right hander Trey Benton had the Green Wave up 3-0 in the first inning.

East Carolina (23-21/3-11 AAC) got their first run of the game in the bottom of the second when Bryce Harman’s single brought Dwanya Williams-Sutton home to make it 3-1.

Tulane extended the lead to 4-1 in the seventh frame when Lex Kaplin’s single to center brought Grant Witherspoon home for a run.

The Pirates scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning when Wes Phillips’ pop fly to centerfield allowed Travis Watkins to scamper home from third base. Then Luke Bolka homered over the left field fence to cut the lead to one but then Tulane struck out a pair of ECU batters late to seal the win.