Smith?s Fourth-Inning Grand Slam Leads East Carolina Past Duke

Tuesday, February 28

Greenville, NC

4:00 PM

Duke University

East Carolina

Smith?s Fourth-Inning Grand Slam Leads East Carolina Past Duke

2/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

GREENVILLE, N.C. ? Catcher Jake Smith capped a five-run fourth inning with a two-out grand slam for the East Carolina Pirates as they defeated the Duke Blue Devils, 17-4, on Tuesday afternoon at Clark-LeClair Stadium. The Blue Devils fall to 4-7 on the season while the Pirates improve to 8-3.

Leading 3-0 entering the bottom of the fourth, designated hitter Ryan Tousley led off the frame with a walk before advancing to third on a single by third baseman Jake Dean. When second baseman Drew Schieber hit a line drive to right field, Duke freshman Tim Sherlock made a spectacular diving catch to record the first out of the inning. Despite Sherlock's diving grab, Tousley scored on the play to give the Pirates a four-run lead.

ECU loaded the bases after right fielder Harrison Eldridge drew a walk and center fielder Jay Mattox was hit by a pitch. Smith then blasted the 1-1 offering from right-handed reliever Jimmy Saris over the left field wall to give the Pirates an 8-0 lead.

ECU took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With one out, Mattox singled to right field to start the inning. Smith then laced an RBI-double to right center to score Mattox from first before advancing to third on an error. After first baseman Adam Witter drew a walk and stole second, left fielder Stephen Batts singled to first, scoring Smith from third to cap the inning.

The Pirates grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third. After being hit by a pitch, Mattox stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Smith then grounded out to second, allowing Mattox to score.

The Blue Devils got on the board in the top of the sixth. Shortstop Brett Bartles singled to left field to start the inning before advancing to second on a groundout by designated hitter Ron Causey. After advancing to third on a groundout by third baseman Jonathan Nicolla, Bartles scored Duke's first run of the game on a passed ball.

Second baseman Javier Socorro then struck out swinging but advanced to first when the ball went past the catcher. Center fielder Adam Murray then laced an RBI-triple down the right field line, scoring Socorro from first.

Duke made it an 8-4 game in the top of the seventh. First baseman Jonathan Anderson singled to lead off the inning. Sherlock then roped an RBI-triple to right center to score Anderson. Bartles followed with an RBI-single to left, scoring Sherlock.

The Pirates added nine runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on an RBI-double by pinch hitter Brandon Henderson, a two-run single by Eldridge, a two-run triple by pinch hitter Chris Buss, an RBI-single by Mattox, an RBI-sacrifice fly by Batts and a two-run homer by Henderson.

ECU starter Brody Taylor (1-0) picked up his first win of the season, holding the Blue Devils to four hits in 5.0 scoreless innings. Duke starter Jim Perry (0-1) suffered his first loss of the year, allowing seven runs on five hits in 3.2 innings pitched.

Duke will face UNC Wilmington tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Brooks Field. The Blue Devils will open ACC play this weekend, hosting the Maryland Terrapins for a three-game set at Jack Coombs Field. The series starts Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday's games are scheduled for 1 p.m.

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