ECU claims series with 3-1 victory over Memphis

by | Mar 23, 2025

East Carolina used good pitching and Braxton Tramel’s first career college home run to beat Memphis 3-1 on Saturday at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

The win gives the Pirates (14-9, 2-0 AAC) the series win going into Sunday’s noon game.

Below is a full report from ECU Sports Information. Videos are from Pirate Radio.

Check out Pirate Radio

Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube

=====

Photo credit: Braxton Tramel (ECU Sports Information photo)

By ECUPirates.com

Braxton Tramel’s first career home run supported another stellar outing by East Carolina’s pitching staff Saturday afternoon as the Pirates downed Memphis 3-1 inside Lewis Field at Clark-LeClair Stadium to secure their first American Athletic Conference series win of the year.

ECU (14-9, 2-0 AAC) limited the Tigers (11-11, 0-2 AAC) to just four hits and one unearned run in the victory which was the Pirates’ 11th at home this season.

Brad Pruett (1-2) was lights out in relief, tossing a season-best 4.2 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit while striking out three. Jake Hunter, who suffered a season-ending injury at Memphis last season, collected his first save of the campaign by holding the visitors to a lone unearned run over the final two frames. Lance Williams provided a solid start, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

Tramel’s first career long ball was part of a two hit, two-RBI performance for the freshman. Fellow rookie Braden Burress contributed two hits of his own at the top of the lineup while Dixon Williams drove in an insurance run in the eighth. James Smith IV was the lone Tiger to record multiple hits, finishing the contest 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Memphis attempted to grab an early lead in the top of the first, getting runners to the corners with two away, but Williams fanned Shane Cox swinging to keep things scoreless. East Carolina struck in the bottom of the second when Austin Irby worked a two-out walk and Tramel lifted a 1-1 offering to right center that glanced off the glove of Chase Nixon and over the wall to make it a 2-0 game.

That score stayed put for quite a while until a Williams RBI single in the bottom of the seventh afforded the Pirates a three-run cushion. The Tigers could only muster an unearned run in the top of the eighth before Hunter retired the side in order in the ninth to preserve the victory.

Postgame Notes Graphic

  • East Carolina won its 12th straight over Memphis and leads the all-time series 51-19.
  • The Pirates captured their 38th weekend series in AAC play since the beginning of the 2018 campaign.
  • All three Pirate RBI occurred with two outs while the teams combined to go 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
  • Williams extended his on base streak to 19 games while Burress now owns a seven-game hitting streak.

Up Next: ECU attempts to record the series sweep when the teams reconvene Sunday at noon.

Top Headlines

Jeff Hoffman part of big overhaul to Blue Jays’ bullpen

The Toronto Blue Jays’ bullpen wasn’t just bad last season, it was really bad. The team ranked 29th in bullpen ERA and didn’t accomplish much in 2024. One of the many things that was needed to improve going into 2025 was relief pitching. That’s where ECU alum Jeff...

Watch: Jacob Jenkins-Cowart has first Spring Training hit

Spring Training in Major League Baseball wraps up on Sunday. For the minor leagues, it is already in full gear. 2022 @GoSockPuppets outfielder Jacob Jenkins-Cowart doubled for his first @Marlins #SpringTraining hit on Saturday!@JenkinsCowart | @ECUBaseball...

Jeff Hoffman ranked third best closer in AL East

Jeff Hoffman has earned the role of closer for the Toronto Blue Jays. The East Carolina alum's Spring Training performances have been solid and he appears ready to take over the role full-time after being a starter and occasional closer, with 12 career saves to his...

Former J.H. Rose star makes DC Defenders roster

Turns out former J.H. Rose High School star Cornell Powell did make the roster for the UFL’s DC Defenders. The team announced the news of its roster cut to 50 players on Friday. Initially, it was reported Powell, a receiver who played at Clemson and had stops with the...

Former ECU punter will now play at Villanova

Villanova now has the distinction of having the oldest punter in college football. #NovaNation, let’s welcome our newest ‘Cat, Punter @lukelarsen_1✌️#TapTheRock pic.twitter.com/6GaCiEy3ED — Villanova Football (@NovaFootball) March 21, 2025 Luke Larsen, who hails from...

East Carolina tops Memphis 3-2 in AAC opener

The East Carolina baseball team began defense of its five-time AAC regular-season championship with a 3-2 win over Memphis on Friday at Clark-LeClair Stadium. Below is more information from ECU Sports Information. Videos are from Pirate Radio. Buccaneer Scoreboard -...

Pirates come up short in series opener at South Florida, 6-5

The East Carolina softball team came up short in its AAC game with South Florida on Friday, falling 6-5 in Tampa, Fla. Below is a full report from ECU Sports Information. Check out Pirate Radio Website | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Instagram | YouTube =====...

ECU entertains Memphis to kick off AAC slate

The ECU baseball team starts AAC play on Friday against Memphis in a three-game set. The Pirates and Tigers begin play at 6 p.m. on Friday. Saturday's game is set for 4 p.m. with Sunday's game slated for noon. Below is a preview from ECU Sports Information. Videos are...