Houston ends ECU’s postseason run

East Carolina’s unlikely run to the final of the American Athletic Conference tournament ended Sunday with a 6-0 loss to Houston in the championship game at Spectrum Field.

The Pirates (32-28), who finished last in the conference in the regular season, had surprised with three straight wins against teams that swept them during the season to reach Sunday’s title game. The magic ended there, however, as second-seeded Houston (40-19) pounded out 14 hits off seven Pirates pitchers to secure an automatic berth in NCAA regionals.

ECU starter Evan Kruczynski (4-3) got himself out of jams early in the game. He picked off a runner at first base to end the first, snared a line-drive comebacker with the…