No. 6 seed East Carolina pulled off a close 6–5 win over No. 2 Charlotte on Thursday evening, May 22, at the 2025 American Baseball Championship presented by Regions at BayCare Ballpark.
The win advances the Pirates (31–25) to the next round, where they’ll face the winner of Friday’s elimination game between Charlotte and South Florida. That game is scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+. East Carolina will return to action on Saturday, May 25, at about 12:30 p.m. Eastern, also on ESPN+.
East Carolina scored first in the top of the second inning with two RBI groundouts. But Charlotte quickly answered. Blake Martin hit a three-run homer to left field in the bottom of the inning to give the 49ers a 3–2 lead.
Pirates reliever Brad Pruett entered in the third inning and dominated, pitching five hitless innings to earn the win. He improved to a 5–5 record this season.
In the top of the fifth, John Collins tied the game 3–3 with an RBI single. Shortly after, Walker Barron gave East Carolina a 5–3 lead with a two-run homer to the bullpen in left field. The Pirates added another run in the seventh when Austin Irby drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing home Dixon Williams.
Charlotte made a late push in the ninth. Martin drove in one run with a groundout, and Juan Rivera added another with an RBI single. But East Carolina’s Jake Hunter shut the door, earning his third save of the year and sealing the win.
Chase Carson pitched 4.2 innings of relief for Charlotte, striking out five but allowing four runs on six hits. He took the loss, falling to 4–1 on the season.
The defeat ended Charlotte’s 10-game winning streak.
Upcoming Games:
Friday, May 23:
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- Game 9: No. 4 Florida Atlantic vs. No. 1 UTSA – 1 p.m. | ESPN+
- Game 10: No. 3 South Florida vs. No. 2 Charlotte – approx. 4:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Saturday, May 24:
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- Game 11: No. 5 Tulane vs. Winner of Game 9 – 9 a.m. | ESPN+
- Game 12: No. 6 East Carolina vs. Winner of Game 10 – approx. 12:30 p.m. | ESPN+
- Game 13 & 14 (if necessary): Later Saturday | ESPN+
Sunday, May 25:
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- Game 15: Championship Game – Noon | ESPNEWS and ESPN+
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