Tribe baseball's magical run comes to an end in the regional final
The William & Mary baseball team's magical, two-week ride to the Colonial Athletic Association Championship and through the Charlottesville Regional came to an end with an 8-4 loss to East Carolina in the Regional Final.
With the setback, the Tribe concludes the season 31-31. The Pirates, which advance to the Super Regionals, await the winner of the Lubbock Regional and improve 37-21-1.
The Tribe faced elimination in seven consecutive games, winning six. Along the way, the team defeated Northeastern, College of Charleston, UNCW, Bryant and Virginia on its way to its second-ever CAA Championship and Regional Final. Moreover, W&M didn't come down to its final out until the last one today, and only faced its final three outs twice during the run.
Offensively, senior Charley Gould led the Tribe with three hits and two RBI. Sophomore Cullen Large also collected two hits and a RBI.
William & Mary took an early 2-0 lead with two runs in the top of the third inning. A bunt single from freshman Zach Pearson followed by a single from sophomore Ryan Hall set the table. Junior Ryder Miconi then moved everybody up with a sacrifice bunt. The next batter, Large, sent a sacrifice fly to right field, getting the Tribe on the board. Gould followed by knocking a double down the left field line, scoring the second run.
East Carolina stormed right back for four runs in the bottom of the inning, taking the lead. Eric Tyler and Bryce Harman started the rally with back-to-back singles. After an out, a double by Parker Lamm down the left field tied the score. The next batter, Charlie Yorgen hit a homer to right, making it 4-2 Pirates.
The Tribe cut ECU's lead in half with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Back-to-back singles from senior Josh Smith and freshman Kyle Wrighte put runners on the corners. After an out, Pearson laid down a perfectly executed safety squeeze, plating Josh Smith.
W&M tied the game with a solo run in the top of the fifth inning. Back-to-back singles from Miconi and Large put runners on first and second. The next batter, Gould singled into left, knotting the score at 4-4.
Again the Pirates scored four runs an inning, thanks to two homers in the bottom half. Yorgen led off the inning reaching on an error. After two outs, Travis Watkins homered to left field, regaining the lead for ECU. A single by Garrett reset the table, before Tyler homered to left making the score 8-4.
Sophomore Charlie Fletcher was charged with just his second loss of the season, but didn't allow an earned run. He went 2.1 innings allowing four run (zero unearned) with a strikeout. Junior John Yoest and freshman Jason Waldman pitched the final 3.1 innings scoreless for W&M.
Sam Lanier picked up his second win pitching five innings allowing only one hit. He picked up a career-high seven strikeouts. Tyler led the Pirates going 4-for-4 with two RBI. Yorgen, Watkins, and Harman also collected two hits for ECU.
W&M had three players honored on the Charlottesville Regional Team following the tournament. Miconi, Hall and junior Nick Brown all received the honor.
