LUBBOCK, Texas – East Carolina catcher Travis Watkins hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and relief pitcher Matt Bridges struck out six of the eight batters he faced to lead the Pirates to an 8-6 win against Texas Tech in Game 1 of the NCAA Super Regional at Dan Law Field.
East Carolina (38-21-1) takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series and stands one win shy of its first College World Series appearance in program history. The Pirates look to clinch the series Saturday at 3 p.m. ET (ESPNU), while a Texas Tech win would force a deciding third game Sunday at 3 p.m. ET (ESPN2 or ESPNU).
Watkins, who was the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Charlottesville Regional after he hit two home runs in the Pirates' three wins, continued his postseason tear as he went 3-for-5 with a grand slam and a two-run home run Friday. He gave East Carolina a lead it would not relinquish when he cleared the bases in the top of the fifth with a grand slam that gave the Pirates a 5-2 lead. His two-run shot in the top of the sixth gave East Carolina an 8-3 lead.
The Red Raiders (44-18), the No. 5 national seed, got back in it with three runs in the bottom of the seventh to close within 8-6. But Bridges came on with one out in the seventh and promptly struck out the next two batters on six pitches to end the threat. Bridges then struck out the first two batters of the eighth - on seven pitches - and got the third out on a foul popup. He sent the Red Raiders down in order in the ninth, striking out the last two batters to earn his second save of the year.
Evan Kruczynski picked up the win for East Carolina, improving to 8-1. Watkins drove in six of East Carolina's eight runs and joined outfielder Parker Lamm with three hits for the Pirates.
Davis Martin took the loss for Texas Tech as he suffered his first setback of the season, falling to 9-1.
2016 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship
Super Regional · Lubbock, Texas (East Carolina leads, 1-0)
Friday, June 10
East Carolina 8, Texas Tech 6 (
box score)
Saturday, June 11
East Carolina at Texas Tech (ESPNU) 3 p.m.
Sunday, June 12 (if necessary)
East Carolina at Texas Tech (ESPN2/ESPNU) 3 p.m.
all times Eastern