UNCW Seahawks edge ECU Pirates

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNCW closed out a 13-game homestand on Tuesday with a victory over longtime rival East Carolina. UNCW is now 16-6 on the season after the win over the Pirates. ECU drops to 16-9. Our highlights include one of the best catches you’ll likely see all season.

Click the icon above to see WWAY’s game highlights from Tuesday night.

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WILMINGTON, NC (UNCW) — Chris Gaffney belted a three-run home run in the second inning to give UNCW the lead and the Seahawks never looked back as they dealt rival East Carolina a 4-2 setback on Tuesday at Brooks Field.

The Seahawks pushed their record to 16-6 with their fourth straight victory while the Pirates dipped to 16-9.

Whitman Barnes, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association Rookie-of-the-Week, improved to 4-0 with the win while Jared Gesell picked up his second save of the season.

ECU starter Reid Love (2-2) was saddled with the loss after allowing all four runs on seven hits over 4.1 innings.

Steven Linkous led the Seahawks at the plate going 2-for-4 with a run batted in.

Travis Watkins collected two hits for ECU and knocked in a run. Charlie Yorgen homered for the Pirates in the top of the first for an early 1-0 lead.

Up next: The Seahawks return to conference play this weekend when they visit Towson for a three-game series beginning on Friday at 3 p.m.

How it happened: Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second, Gavin Stupienski and Zach Canada opened the inning with singles and were moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Terence Connelly. Gaffney followed with first collegiate home run to make it 3-1.

Inside the box score: Neither team had a two-out hit on the game, combining to finish 0-for-15 … The Seahawks managed to get its leadoff hitter on base in 4-of-8 innings … ECU totaled 16 fly ball outs and UNCW recorded just two assists … Linkous and Gaffney had UNCW’s hits with RISP.

Notes: The Seahawks finished the homestand with a 10-3 record … UNCW fell behind for the eighth consecutive game … UNCW freshmen have now been credited wins in each of the last five wins … Gavin Stupienski extended his hitting streak to eight games and his on-base streak to 17 games … The Seahawk bullpen as combined to allow no runs, eight hits, three walks and has struck out 25 over its last 18 innings.