Watkins’ homer caps five-run ninth as ECU stuns Virginia
Published 1:05 am Sunday, June 5, 2016
- East Carolina catcher Travis Watkins, center, is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning three run home run in an NCAA college regional tournament baseball game against Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, June 4, 2016. East Carolina defeated Virginia 8-6. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Travis Watkins’ three-run home run capped a five-run ninth inning and East Carolina stunned defending national champion Virginia 8-6 on Saturday in a winner’s bracket game in the NCAA tournament’s Charlottesville regional.
Watkins’ blast off Tommy Doyle (2-6) came after the Virginia closer had already allowed four consecutive hits and a sacrifice in the inning.
The Pirates (36-21-1), who also beat the Cavaliers in two of three games earlier this season, will await the winner of Virginia and William & Mary on Sunday.
The Cavaliers (38-21) got two home runs from Pavin Smith and led 6-3 after scoring twice in the eighth.
But in its final turn, East Carolina, as the home team, strung together four hits to get within 6-5 before a sacrifice put runners on second and third. Watkins then launched Doyle’s third pitch into the left field bleachers.
Closer Joe Ingle (6-3) got the last five outs.
