The High Point baseball team ran into a hot-hitting East Carolina squad on Wednesday night inside Clark-LeClair Stadium dropping a 12-4 decision.

High Point (11-13) saw their two-game win streak halted by the No. 22 Pirates (16-6) who picked up their 10th consecutive victory.

The Pirates wasted little time in getting on the board as they took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Harrison Eldridge, who was hit by a Zach Zupan pitch to lead off the frame, advanced to third on a single to right by Dale Mollenhauer and touched home on Stephen Batts' single to right for the early lead.

High Point answered in the second taking a 2-1 lead on a high infield chopper to short by Robby Kuzdale that scored Tucker Stobbe. Billy Alvino led off with a double to left-center then moved to third with one out on a Ryan Wood fielding error, which loaded the bases for Eric Marion, who singled to center plating Alvino tying the game at one.

Trailing 2-1 in the third frame, ECU broke the game open putting six runs on the board grabbing the lead for good at 7-2. Mark Letchworth sparked much of the scoring surge with a two-out three-run homer.

The Panthers drew closer in the top of the fifth scoring one run to cut the lead to 7-3. Alfie Wheeler singled through the left side, advanced to second on Kuzdale's walk then scored on Jeff Cowan's single to left field with no outs. ECU starter Bailey Daniels settled down getting J. Williams to ground into a double play, then retired Alvino on a grounder to third.

ECU added five more runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach for good at 12-3. High Point tacked on a final run in the seventh to conclude the scoring on the night.

High Point starter Zupan (0-1) suffered the loss in his first start of the season, lasting 2 2/3 innings, giving up six runs (three earned) on six hits, walking one and fanning two. Jamie Serber also went 2 2/3 innings allowing three runs on three hits. Mike Grosso (0 IP, one hit, two runs), Chad Jennings (1.2 IP, one hit, one run) and Matt Schlanger (1 IP, two walks, one strikeout) closed out the game.

Cowan and Schwartz both recorded two hits to pace the Panther offense.
 
Offensively the Pirates were lead by Eldridge (2-for-3, two runs and two RBI), Mollenhauer (2-for-3, two runs), Batts (2-for-3, one run and four RBI) and Letchworth (2-for-3, two runs, three RBI and a home run).

Daniels picked up his second win on the year improving to 2-1 after working six full innings. On the night he allowed three runs on seven hits with one free pass and two strikeouts. Chris Powell (one run), Mike Flye (one hit and one walk) and Josh Ruhlmand (two walks) each pitched an inning of relief for the Pirates.

High Point next opens up Big South Conference play with a three-game weekend series against Liberty. The Panthers and Flames will start their set on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Coy O. Williard Sr. Stadium.