Feb. 28, 2014
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The WKU pitching staff scattered four hits and only surrendered one earned run against East Carolina Friday night in the 11th Annual Keith LeClair Classic, but a two-out error with runners on the corners in the bottom of the 10th inning doomed the Hilltoppers (6-3) as the Pirates (4-5) prevailed at Clark-LeClair Stadium, 2-1.
Senior right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman worked six strong innings against host East Carolina, allowing three hits and one run while striking out two on a season-high 108 pitches. Relievers Brennan Pearson and Sam Higgs were solid behind Hageman, allowing just one hit and no earned runs in 3.2 innings of relief.
Higgs (1-1) worked perfect eighth and ninth innings and retired the first two batters of the 10th before surrendering his first walk of the season to the Pirates' centerfielder Garrett Brooks. East Carolina second baseman Drew Reynolds poked a single through the right side to advance Brooks to third and Brooks scored the winning run via WKU's error in the next at bat.
WKU drew first blood in the sixth inning when junior Ryan Church delivered his sixth two-out hit of the season, lining a single into right field to plate junior Cody Wofford, who led off the frame with a double. One run was all WKU could muster against the Pirates' ace Jeff Hoffman, a projected top pick in the 2014 MLB Draft. Hoffman set a Keith LeClair Classic record with 14 strikeouts in 8.0 innings of work.
The Hilltoppers clung to their 1-0 lead until the 7th inning when an RBI double from East Carolina's Bryce Harman knotted the contest at 1-1. Pearson came on to relieve Hageman after the Pirates' score and ended the threat with a groundout and back-to-back strikeouts.
Wofford led off the eighth inning by reaching on an error by ECU's third baseman by Zach Houchins but was caught stealing in an attempt to get in scoring position. The Hilltoppers would not get another runner on-base as Pirates' reliever Ryan Williams (3-0) struck out four more Hilltoppers to prevent a WKU threat.
Sophomore third baseman Thomas Peter recorded two of WKU's five hits in the game while Wofford, Church and Flaherty accounted for the other three knocks.
WKU will have a quick turnaround and battle Ohio State (6-2) Saturday morning, with first pitch time set for 10:00 (CT). The Buckeyes defeated Pittsburgh 6-2 in their opening game of the LeClair Classic early Friday afternoon. WKU lefty Austin Clay will start for WKU on the mound. The Hilltopper IMG Sports Radio Network will have the call on ESPN 1450 AM in Bowling Green and can also be heard on WKUSports.tv. Live updates will also be provided on Twitter @WKU_GameDay.
For more information on WKU Baseball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUBaseball or visit WKUSports.com.
