GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — The East Carolina Pirates rallied from an early six-run deficit to defeat the Charlotte 49ers 12-9 in an American Athletic Conference baseball game Friday evening at Clark–LeClair Stadium.

Grayden Lenahan led the Pirates’ 17-hit attack, going 3 for 4 with a double, a triple and three RBIs. His RBI single in the seventh inning broke a 9-9 tie. Alex Bouche added a two-run homer in the eighth for insurance.

Charlotte built a 9-2 lead by the third inning, powered by a three-run homer from Johnny Sutryk and a two-run shot from Cale Stricklin. The 49ers’ 13 hits were not enough as the Pirates’ bullpen combined for four scoreless innings from Sean Jenkins and Ethan Rose. East Carolina improved to 19-12 overall, while Charlotte fell to 18-12. The teams continue their series Saturday.