N.C. State downs ECU

Published in Sports on April 2, 2008 1:50 PM

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GREENVILLE -- Eryk McConnell scattered six hits in a five-inning stint as in-state rival North Carolina State edged No. 24-ranked East Carolina 4-3 at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

McConnell (3-1) permitted one run, struck out three and walked two. Joey Cutler relieved McConnell in the sixth and retired the first seven batters he faced.

The Pirates (18-8 overall) pulled within 4-3 in the eighth. Cutler yielded a lead-off single to Stephen Batts and Corey Kemp followed with a two-run homer, his seventh of the season.

Two outs later, Harrison Eldridge got caught leaning off first base for the game's final out. Gillheeney earned his seventh save of the season for N.C. State, which improved to 16-9 overall.

Former North Lenoir standout Sthil Sowers (2-2) gave up four runs on four hits in four innings. Josh Ruhlman tossed four-plus innings of scoreless relief and fanned two Wolfpack batters. Seth Simmons, Matt Cox and Brad Mincey combined to close out the ninth.

Batts, Kemp and Brandon Henderson led the Pirates' offense with two hits apiece. Eldridge and Wood each contributed one hit.

East Carolina entertains Campbell today.