Good morning! We can only think of one thing better than a first inning home run. Back-to-back first inning home runs!

What all are we mixing into today's Brew?

⚾️ Bounce back time
🎽 Time to qualify
​🏴‍☠️ And much, much more!

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Roller Coaster. East Carolina baseball and South Florida played a back-and-forth game into the 11th inning Tuesday, with the Bulls ultimately coming away with a 12-11 win in the AAC Tournament.

South Florida got on the board right away with two runs in the first inning, but were quickly matched by the Pirates with two runs of their own in the bottom half thanks to back-to-back home runs from Jacob Starling and Carter Cunningham.

ECU blew the game open in the seventh, scoring six runs in the inning to break a 3-3 tie and go up 9-3. Lane Hoover, Starling, Josh Moylan, Justin Wilcoxen, Cam Clonch and Ryley Johnson all had RBI in the frame. However, USF answered with eight runs of its own over the next two innings to take a 11-9 lead into the bottom of the ninth.

There, Moylan launched a two-run homer to take the game into extras, where the Bulls scored in the 11th to win it.

East Carolina is back on the field at the AAC Tournament today at 3:00pm ET, taking on Cincinnati in an elimination game. The Pirates swept the Bearcats in Cincinnati earlier this month.

🔼 Qualifying Hopes. Nine Pirates are in Jacksonville, Fla., this week to compete at the NCAA East Preliminary meet, with hopes of qualifying for the NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas.

Royal Burris kicks things off today for East Carolina, with first-round runs in the 100m and 200m dash. Jasmine Jenkins (women’s hammer), Ansley Frady (women’s javelin), Naadiya Faison (women’s shot put) and Melicia Mouzzon (women’s 100m, 200m) all compete Thursday, while Logan Carroll (men’s discus) and Jared Harrell (men’s long jump) compete Friday.

🔼 Pro Pitching Pirate. Gavin Williams has earned his top-prospect and high-profile status with the way he has pitched this year.

But he’s certainly not the only East Carolina alum dealing in the minor leagues this season - how about the year Carson Whisenhunt is currently having?

Through eight starts this season between Single A and High A, the lefty has a 1.74 ERA through 31 innings, 44 strikeouts, a .140 batting average against and a 0.77 WHIP.

That’ll play, Carson!

🤔 PIRATES TRIVIA

Speeding Ticket. East Carolina sprinter Melicia Mouzzon has a chance this week to qualify for the NCAA Championships in the 100m and 200m dash.

What did Mouzzon finish in the 100m at the AAC Championships?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

⏪ ICYMI

We like our Brew hot n’ fresh. But we’re not opposed to you reheating your cup. Here’s some news you may have missed recently…

🏴‍☠️ Picture Perfect: Master of Fine Arts student Loraine Scalamoni paints in Jenkins Fine Arts Building. The ECU School of Art and Design offers graduate programs in art and art education.

📬 STICK WITH US

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📅 THE DAY AHEAD

Wednesday 5/24

🎽 Track & Field at NCAA East Prelims

⚾️ Baseball vs Cincinnati - AAC Tournament @ 3:00pm ET | Watch 

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Third!

Mouzzon claimed a bronze medal in the event, running it in 11.21 seconds.

Have a great Wednesday, y’all.