Pirates drop 9-4 decision to Seahawks

by | Mar 19, 2025

UNC Wilmington scored seven runs after trailing early then held on for a 9-4 victory over East Carolina on Tuesday in a game played in Fayetteville’s Segra Stadium.

The Pirates (12-9) look to bounce back starting Friday when they open AAC play at home against Memphis.

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

Photo credit: (ECU Sports Information photo)

By ECUPirates.com

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – UNCW scored seven runs in the third and fourth innings to erase an early deficit and eventually downed East Carolina 9-4 in a neutral site contest Tuesday evening at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville.

The Pirates (12-9) saw a five-game winning streak come to an end as the pitching staff issued seven walks and hit three Seahawk (11-10) batters.

Aubrey Smith (1-3) collected his first win of the campaign on the mound, limiting ECU to one run on two hits with four strikeouts and no walks in 4.0 innings of work. Ian White Jr. (2-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on a lone hit with a walk and strikeout in one frame pitched.

Six different UNCW batters logged two hits each while Kevin Jones and Tanner Thach combined to post five RBI at the top of the lineup. Colby Wallace paced the Pirates with two hits and Braden Burress drove in a pair of runs.

The Seahawks jumped ahead with an unearned run in the top of the first. East Carolina then put up a three spot in the home half of the second when Wallace and Kenan Bowman singled with one out, Alex Bouche put down a squeeze bunt to plate Wallace and Burress ripped a two run, two-out double to the wall in left.

UNCW was able to pull away in the third and fourth frames, taking advantage of a quartet of walks and producing timely hitting to surge in front 8-3. The teams then traded single tallies in the top of the fifth and bottom of the sixth to provide the game’s final margin.

Postgame Notes Graphic

  • UNCW reduced East Carolina’s lead in the all-time series to 84-65. The teams met at a neutral site for the first time since May 18, 2000, at the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament in Manteo, N.C.
  • The clubs combined to leave 24 runners on base, but the Seahawks were 6-for-16 with runners in scoring position and 8-for-17 with two outs.
  • The game was the fifth of the season for ECU at a current minor league park. The Pirates are 3-2 in those affairs.
  • Dixon Williams extended his hitting streak to eight games and has reached base safely in 17 consecutive contests.

Up Next: East Carolina officially begins the hunt for a sixth-straight American Athletic Conference regular season title this weekend (March 21-23) when it hosts Memphis.

Top Headlines

Pirates play host to Wolfpack Tuesday night

The East Carolina baseball team will look to return to its winning ways after a weekend sweep by Florida Atlantic. N.C. State will be at Clark-LeClair Stadium for a 6 p.m. start on Tuesday. Below is more information from ECU Sports Information. Pirate Radio is...

ECU announces home football game specifics for 2025

ECU football posted its home schedule to its social media accounts Monday evening, giving more specifics to the six games played at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in 2025. Your 2025 Home Game Designations! Let’s get Dowdy rowdy! 🏴‍☠️ #LetsRide pic.twitter.com/iyIzKWaqRG — ECU...

Dog-gone good: Zach Agnos, Isotopes enjoy Bark in the Park

The only thing missing on Sunday was a victory … dog-gone it. The Alburqurue Isotopes faced Salt Lake Bees on Sunday. Like many minor league ballparks, one of the most popular promotions involves dogs. They were howling in full gear as fans and their pooches showed...

The Danny Beal Show: Talking baseball with ECU players in the pros

A new season of "The Danny Beal Show" kicks off with some of the greats currently playing pro and minor league baseball. Danny Beal, a former ECU baseball star himself, will speak with everyone from Zach Agnos to Connor Norby, Gavin Williams, Trey Yesavage and many...

Pirates in baseball: Zach Agnos solid again in relief for Isotopes

ECU alum Zach Agnos made pretty quick work in his latest relief appearance on Sunday for Albuquerque. Zach Agnos with a huge strikeout of Ryan Noda, stranding the bases loaded and keeping the deficit at two runs! Rally time! pic.twitter.com/hjQdTz4lBQ — Albuquerque...

The Brian Bailey Show: ECU wide receivers coach Dyrell Roberts

Brian Bailey has a familiar face on his show on Monday. East Carolina University wide receivers coach Dyrell Roberts will join "The Brian Bailey Show" at noon. They will talk about the spring football season, his core of wide receivers, the upcoming season and much...

Harold Varner III fires back, finishes tied for 7th in Miami

Harold Varner III saved his best for last at the LIV Golf Miami tournament. The ECU alum shot a 4-under-par on Sunday to finish in a tie for 7th in the Miami tournament. He had six birdies, including ones at No. 16 and No. 17, to finish up strong. Marc Leishman also...