GREENVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Xavier Musketeers capitalized on a first-inning blast and weathered a late rally to upset the East Carolina Pirates 4-3 in the season opener for both teams Friday at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Despite being projected as significant underdogs by Interstat’s ELO system, which gave East Carolina a 69.6 percent probability to win, Xavier seized control immediately. Leadoff hitter Hammond flied out to deep center, but Stonehouse followed with a single. Mensik then delivered the decisive blow, homering down the right-field line for a two-run shot that gave the Musketeers a lead they would not relinquish.

Xavier added two more hits in the inning but could not extend the early advantage. That early outburst proved sufficient as the Musketeers’ pitching staff navigated repeated threats from the Pirates’ lineup.

East Carolina, held to just five hits, struggled to solve Xavier starter Ryan Piech and reliever Jake Hooker. The Pirates finally broke through in the fifth inning when Burress doubled and scored on Herring’s RBI double to left-center, cutting the deficit to 4-1.

The Pirates chipped away again in the sixth without a hit. Lenahan walked, advanced on a hit-by-pitch and a flyout, and then scored on a throwing error by Xavier’s Fitz on a failed pickoff attempt, making it 4-2.

Xavier missed chances to pull away, stranding 11 baserunners, but provided crucial insurance in the eighth. Stonehouse was hit by a pitch, Mensik singled, and a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position. Johnson then grounded out to second, allowing Stonehouse to score. Mensik later crossed the plate on a wild pitch, restoring a four-run cushion at 6-2.

That extra run became critical in a tense ninth inning. After Burress grounded out, Herring launched a solo home run to deep right field off reliever Muck, bringing the Pirates within three. Whitaker, pinch-hitting, then walked, and after a pitching change, Irby also walked, putting the tying run on base.

Xavier summoned Poole from the bullpen with two on and one out. He induced a groundout from Jacome, moving both runners into scoring position, and then hit Lenahan with a pitch to load the bases for Sabater. Poole ended the game by striking out Sabater looking, stranding the potential tying and winning runs.

The most important part of the game was the final at-bat of the ninth inning. With the bases loaded, two outs, and the potential winning run on first base, Xavier closer Poole faced East Carolina’s Sabater in a full-count situation. Poole’s final pitch, a called third strike, extinguished the Pirates’ rally and sealed the upset victory for the Musketeers.

Jake Hooker earned the win in relief for Xavier, while Ethan Norby took the loss for East Carolina. Xavier’s nine-hit attack was led by Mensik, who finished a single shy of the cycle with a home run, a single and two walks, driving in two and scoring twice.

With the win, Xavier begins its season 1-0. East Carolina starts 0-1. The teams are scheduled for a doubleheader Saturday to continue the series.