Bonesville: The Authoritative Independent Voice of East Carolina

News & Features from ECU, the AAC and Beyond

  • Home
  • News & Features
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Audio
  • Roundup
  • Comments
  • Legacy Archives

• ECU 2022 Football Schedule
• ECU 2022-23 Hoops Schedule
• ECU 2023 Baseball Schedule

— Recruiting Thumbnails —
Football: 2023 • Hoops: 2023-24

View from the East
Pitching depth making an impact

May 11, 2018 By Al Myatt Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

East Carolina used five pitchers in a 5-4 win at UNC-Wilmington on Wednesday night, sweeping the regular-season series with the Seahawks after a 6-4 win in Greenville on April 3. Sophomore left-hander Jake Agnos got the start.

‘I really thought our bullpen pitched well again,” Pirates coach Cliff Godwin said. “Zach Barnes, Ryan Ross, Trey Benton and Davis Kirkpatrick. … I thought we really showed a lot of toughness. Andrew Henrickson has got the flu or something, so he wasn’t able to play until later in the game. He was scheduled to start and had to come out of the game.”

Godwin thought Henrickson would be available to this weekend’s American Athletic Conference home series with Cincinnati. The first game of the AAC set is tonight at 6:30.

“I just thought our guys showed a lot of resilience, a lot of toughness to be able to just get a tough win on the road,” said Godwin.

The Pirates (35-12, 11-7 AAC) took a 9-1 win over Norfolk State in Greenville on Tuesday night with five pitchers seeing action, including Jake Kuchmaner, Gavin Williams, West Covington, Willy Strong and Cole Beavin.

The most recent wins are testimony to ECU’s pitching depth.

“We’ve talked about that a lot this year,” Godwin said. “We’re deeper on the mound than we ever have been before since I’ve been here. We needed every arm we had these two midweek games.”

State of college baseball

A crowd of 1,727 was on hand at UNCW. The Pirates are averaging 2,849 fans for home games this season, which ranks 22nd nationally.

The ECU coach says interest in the college game is surging.

“It’s definitely growing,” Godwin said. “Every year, you’ve seen attendance records broken. The excitement for college baseball is definitely continuing to grow. A lot of it has to do with just getting more televised, whether it’s on the ESPN platforms or being able to go to our website and watch us when when we’re playing. Definitely, the excitement has grown..

“I think baseball is in a good spot. What’s going on right now is really good.”

There are issues from Godwin’s perspective.

“Some of the rules that have been put in place, recruiting-wise, I don’t know if they’re good for our sport,” he said. “That’s why people make them I guess. They’re trying to make it better but I don’t know if that’s the best thing for us, moving forward.

“In the middle of the season, the NCAA changed the rules where you can’t have sophomores and freshmen come to your games and watch the games. You can’t interact or have any contact with them. They can still call you on the phone. It’s a little weird. They can call you on the phone, but you can’t talk to them face to face. I don’t understand. If you’re going to make a rule like that why would you let them be able to call you on the phone.

“It is what it is. I think sometimes they make the rules because other sports do it and our sport is different. If you’re not in our sport day to day then you don’t understand the ramifications it may have when you make a decision like that.”

Regional possibilities

Going into the final seven games of the regular season, the Pirates, ranked as high as No. 10 nationally, would appear to be candidates to host a regional in the NCAA Tournament.

“To be honest, the media is starting to talk about this a lot,” Godwin said. “I want our guys to be where their feet are. Right now, we just need to focus on us, focus on getting ready for Cincinnati and everything else will take care of itself.

“We’ve done a good job. We’ve played well up until this point. Let’s just continue to play good baseball. What I tell our guys is ‘Don’t worry about who you’re plying, let’s just put our best foot forward every single day.’ When we have done that, the results have taken care of themselves.”

Exclusive focus on baseball

The Pirates were in the midst of exams and did not have Friday starter Chris Holba (9-0) when they were swept by Houston in a home series April 27-29.

ECU has a five-game winning streak since exams were completed.

“I’d be lying to say it’s not less stressful when you’re not in school because we put such a premium on what our guys do in the classroom,” Godwin said. “It’s definitely a stress when they’re having to worry about exams, having to worry about finishing strong in the classroom.

Chris Holba will get the start when ECU opens its home series with AAC foe Cincinnati tonight at 6:30 p.m. (ECU Media Relations photo)

“They’re getting more sleep now, being able to focus on just baseball.”

No numbers have been released on academic performance for the spring term.

“I know we did really well in the classroom,” Godwin said. “I know that it’s probably going to be the highest GPA (grade point average) that we’ve ever had in the spring semester. I don’t know the specifics of it yet.”

Weekend rotation

Holba, who ranks fifth nationally in wins, will toe the rubber tonight.

“We’re going to go (Chris) Holba, (Alec) Burleson, for sure,’ Godwin said. “Tyler Smith is most likely going to pitch on Sunday.”

Randleman vs. Greene Central

East Carolina catcher Jake Smith was presented the Johnny Bench Award by the Hall of Famer and former Cincinnati Reds great at the ninth annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet in 2006. Jeff Kunkel of Michigan and Eddy Rodriguez of Miami were other finalists for the award.

Godwin was also a catcher during his playing career at ECU.

Smith is now the baseball coach at Randleman (21-5), which hosts Greene Central (12-10), Godwin’s alma mater, in the second round of the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs on Saturday at 6 p.m.

“They’ll have their hands full,” Godwin said. “I haven’t seen Greene Central play, but Randleman is pretty good.”

VIEW ECU’S 2018 BASEBALL SCHEDULE & SCORES

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: News & Features

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News & Features

ECU Recruiting News
Towering lineman Neolian still honing skills (updated)

Basketball News
Pirates top SMU, 77-72

VIEW FROM THE EAST: NORTH TEXAS
The new American

Basketball News
ECU rally falls short

ECU Recruiting News
More help is on the way to ECU secondary

Basketball News
Porter leads Shockers past Pirates

VIEW FROM THE EAST: FAU
The new American

Basketball News
Pirates rally past Tulsa to snap losing streak

ECU Recruiting News
Portal delivers blue chipper RaRa Dillworth

VIEW FROM THE EAST: CHARLOTTE
The new American

More News & Features

ECU Schedules

  • ECU 2021 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2020-21 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2021 Baseball Schedule

ECU Recruiting

  • Football Recruiting Class of 2021
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2020
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2019
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2018
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2017
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2021-22
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2020-21
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2019-20
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2018-19
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2017-18
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2016-17

Past Football Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2014 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2013 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2012 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2011 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2010 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2009 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2008 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2007 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2006 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2005 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2004 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2003 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2002 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2001 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2000 Football Schedule
  • Historical Schedules

Past Basketball Schedules

  • ECU 2019-20 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2018-19 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2017-18 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2016-17 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2000-2015 Basketball Archives

Past Baseball Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2001-2014 Baseball Archives

Recruiting Class Profiles

ECU Recruiting News
Towering lineman Neolian still honing skills (updated)

ECU Recruiting News
More help is on the way to ECU secondary

ECU Recruiting News
Portal delivers blue chipper RaRa Dillworth

Class of 2023 Early Signing Review (UPDATED)
Pirates tap transfer portal for more talent

AAC Early Signing Review
New members dive into AAC recruiting wars

Class of 2023 Early Signing Review
First wave of recruits just the beginning

ECU Recruiting News
Brown finds way to ECU through portal

ECU Recruiting News
Transfer safety McDaniel destined for ECU

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates land coveted Spartanburg quarterback

ECU Recruiting News
Swift ECU recruit ‘in a class of his own’

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates win out for Georgia prep linebacker

ECU Recruiting News
Linebacker with pedigree charts path to ECU

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates find a gem in Palmetto State receiver

ECU Recruiting News
Official visit swayed North Mecklenburg star

ECU Recruiting News
Physical Georgia receiver poses tough matchup

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates project lineman Durant as center

ECU Recruiting News
ECU spotted potential in Conley lineman

ECU Recruiting News
ECU lands fleet-footed Georgia defensive back

ECU Recruiting News
‘Football town’ helps draw Short to Pirates

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets edge rushers

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

ECU Recruiting News
Well stocked Pirates enter fray for O-linemen

ECU Recruiting News
ECU faces uphill battle in hunt for tight ends

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates cast wide net for wide receivers

ECU Recruiting News
Loaded Pirates still courting running backs

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, February 8, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, February 6, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, February 5, 2023

Writer Archives

  • Bonesville Staff
  • Brian Bailey
  • Sammy Batten
  • Bethany Bradsher
  • Brett Friedlander
  • Al Myatt
  • NFF
  • Greg Vacek
  • Danny Whitford

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, February 8, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, February 6, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, February 5, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday, February 4, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, February 3, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, February 2, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, February 1, 2023

More Web Roundups

Copyright © 2023 Bonesville.net · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in · Privacy Policy