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.