ECU baseball takes series opener at Maryland, 9-0

Jake Agnos tossed seven scoreless innings and Jake Washer’s three-run homer highlighted a five-run third inning as No. 14 ECU took the series opener over Maryland, 9-0. With the win, the Pirates improve to 13-6 on the season while the Terrapins fall to 10-6.

Leading 1-0 going to the third inning, ECU exploded for five runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead and never looked back. Bryant Packard collected the second of four hits on the night with a double down the left field line to start the frame. After moving over to third on Lane Hoover’s sac bunt, Spencer Brickhouse was plunked by a Hunter Parsons pitch to put runners on the corners. Alec Burleson drove in his second run of the night with a sac fly scoring Packard for a 2-0 advantage. Turner Brown kept the stanza going with a single off Parsons’ shoulder and Washer cleared the bases with a three-run blast to right center for a six-run lead.

For the third time this season, Agnos (3-1) worked seven scoreless frames to earn the win. The lefty, who allowed six hits, struck out seven in the contest which included a pair in the fourth, sixth and seventh frames. Zach Barnes and Evan Odum both worked an inning of relief with each fanning two of the three batters they faced.

Parsons (3-1) suffered the loss allowing six runs (all earned) on nine hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts in six innings. Sean Heine was touched for three runs (all earned) on three hits with a strikeout and one walk, while Billy Phillips surrendered a hit and fanned three in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen.

The Pirates wasted little time getting on the board pushing across a run in the opening frame. Packard singled to center, moved second on Hoover’s fly out and third on Brickhouse’ single down the right field line. Burleson drove in the first of his two runs on a sac fly to right field allowing Packard to score.

ECU extended its lead to 9-0 in the eighth, which was highlighted by Brickhouse’s two-run homer to right field. With two away, Packard doubled down the right field line, stole third and strolled home on Hoover’s RBI base hit through the left side. Brickhouse sent a 2-2 offering from Heine deep over the right field wall scoring Hoover in front of him and capping the scoring at 9-0.

The Pirates pounded out double-digit hits for the 10th time this season (13 in the game) pushing their record to a perfect 10-0. Packard tallied a game-high four hits (two singles, two doubles) and scored three runs to lead ECU’s offense. Brown (three), Brickhouse (two) and Hoover (two) each registered multiple hits, while Washer (three), Brickhouse (two) and Burleson (two) plated multiple runs. Seven of the Pirates nine runs came with two outs in an inning, while they batted .500 (9-for-18) with two away in a frame.

ECU and Maryland will continue the three-game series when the two meet Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m.