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 Postseason Scoreboard

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

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

VIEW FROM THE EAST ON ECU BASEBALL
Reloaded roster prepares to start season

February 7, 2020 By Al Myatt Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

East Carolina starts the 2020 baseball season one week from today, weather permitting, at Clark-LeClair Stadium with a 4 p.m. first pitch against William & Mary. It will be Valentine’s Day, appropriate for the legion of Pirate fans who love to follow ECU’s exploits on the diamond.

The Pirates are coming off a 47-18 season that included a record 20-4 mark in the American Athletic Conference.

Significant personnel losses from the 2019 team, which had its season ended in a Super Regional at Louisville, included Dusty Baker, Turner Brown, Brady Lloyd, Sam Lanier, Zach Barnes, Evan Voliva, Spencer Brickhouse, Bryant Packard, Jake Agnos and Jake Washer.

Coach Cliff Godwin has reloaded the roster with 18 new players in addition to 18 returners.

Cliff Godwin (Twitter.com/ECUBaseball)

There was also some shuffling on the staff after pitching coach Dan Roszel went to Kentucky. Jason Dietrich was brought in to direct the mound corps after working most recently at Oregon. Jeff Palumbo was promoted to associate head coach.

Just who will deliver the first pitch next Friday is yet to be determined. Right-hander Gavin Williams was a prime candidate until fracturing a finger. Left-hander Alec Burleson, a preseason All-American, is a possibility, as is right-hander Tyrler Smith. Southpaw Jake Kuchmaner will likely be on a pitch count as he works through some shoulder soreness.

There is an abundance of new and experienced arms that will see action out of the bullpen and as midweek starters.

Godwin provided a rundown on the position players.

Catcher

Last season, Washer hit .301 with a team high 17 home runs and 55 RBis while anchoring the ECU defense from behind the plate. Seth Cadell hit .241 with four homers and 13 RBIs as he saw action in 37 games with 20 starts.

Godwin played catcher for the Pirates, making Academic All-American, and he talked about the group at his old position.

“Seth Caddell, Ben Newton, Matt James, those are the three guys that you’ll see back there,” Godwin said. “Seth has done a much better job of just being consistent back there, but Ben’s played well. Matt’s played well.”

Newton and James are junior college transfers.

Third base

Ryder Giles is expected to move from third to shortstop after hitting .242 with 26 RBIs last year as a freshman. Giles also made 20 pitching appearances in 2019 with a 3.75 earned run average.

Godwin has a lot of possibilities at third and across the infield.

“You have Zach Agnos, who’s done an unbelievable job,” Godwin said. “He pitches as well. You have Nick Barber. You have Alec Makarewicz. Barber can play every position on the field, so you might see him at third, short, second, first, anywhere in the outfield and even possibly catching.

“Alec Makarewicz, a freshman from Orlando, he will see time there. (Thomas) Francisco and Skyler Brooks can also play over there.”

Agnos is Jake’s younger brother.

Shortstop

Brown is gone at short after hitting .294 with 33 RBIs as a senior.

“You have Ryder Giles,” Godwin said. “Zach Agnos can play short. Nick Barber can play short.”

Second base

Lloyd left a void at second after hitting .248 with 23 RBIs.

“Connor Norby,” Godwin said of potential replacements. “Norbs has done a really good job. Also, Zach Agnos, A-Mak and Nick Barber can play there as well.”

First base

Brickhouse was a prototypical first baseman before taking advantage of his pro draft opportunity. He hit .335 with 14 round trippers and 56 RBIs as a junior.

One of the challenges for the Pirates is figuring out how to best utilize the versatile talents of Burleson. He can play first or the outfield in addition to pitching.

“Maybe Burley, Francisco, Skyler Brooks, Carson Whisenhunt,” Godwin said in summary of the first base candidates.

Outfield

Gone from the outfield are Packard and Baker. Packard battled through injuries to hit .358 with seven homers and 40 RBs. Baker hit ,250 and drove in 11 runs.

“In right field, Christian Smallwood, who’s battling a finger injury, but he’s done a really good job,” Godwin said. “Christian Jayne can play all three spots. Bryson (Worrell) will most likely start in center. He can play all three spots. You have Trevor Losito, who can play probably a corner outfield and Burleson might go out there as well, during some times, either left or right.”

Worrell hit five homers with 19 RBis in just 95 at-bats last season.

League race

ECU has been picked to defend the regular-season AAC title it won in 2019.

“It will be interesting to see what Wichita State does,” Godwin said. “They have a former major league manager (Eric Wedge) as coach. Cincinnati won the conference tournament last year.”

The Shockers were a thorn in the Pirates’ side last season, taking three of five matchups.

“Houston’s good, UConn’s good,” Godwin said. “The Florida teams (South Florida and Central Florida) always have talent. It’s one of the best baseball conferences in the country.

“They don’t give out any awards in the preseason.”

Practice focus

ECU will have three scrimmages before its season opener. The Pirates also will do some fine tuning.

“Being fundamentally sound in all of our bunt defenses, pickoffs, first and third defenses,” Godwin said. “Knowing all of our signs. Just being prepared for any situation that any team could throw at us.”

Dietrich knew Coach Altobelli

Dietrich knew Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, who was killed in the helicopter crash with former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

“It’s been a tough time for him,” Godwin said.

Dietrich plans to attend a memorial service on Sunday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Preseason banquet

Over $70,000 was raised at East Carolina’s preseason banquet.

The money goes into the baseball program.

Godwin had contingency plans for practice inside if necessary on Thursday. Funds generated by the program have helped in the construction of indoor hitting and pitching facilities.

Team goals

Success is a process in terms of team goals. The Pirates go into the season ranked as high as No. 20.

“Get one percent better every day and to play a very consistent brand of baseball with a ton of intent and energy,” Godwin said in regard to goals. “And ignore noise from fans, media, parents, whoever it is and just stay on us. If we put together a consistent body of work, you’ll look up at the end of the year and we’ll put ourselves in a position to host regionals, host Super Regionals and win a national championship.”

ECU 2020 BASEBALL SCHEDULE
RELOADED ROSTER PREPARES TO START SEASON
PIRATES FALL TO UCF
REDSHIRT YEAR SERVED AS LAUNCHPAD FOR RYAN DAVIS
GARRISON’S ROUTE TO ECU ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL
SOLD-OUT BANQUET PRODUCES ZINGERS, TOUCHING MOMENT
HARRELL TAKES ON ECU’S CHRONIC CHALLENGE
TEMPLE TOPS PIRATES, 76-64
PIRATES TAKE GARDNER SHOW TO PHILLY
SAMPSON HAD NO ANSWER FOR JAYDEN GARDNER

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

BASEBALL NEWS
ECU tells Sooners, ‘later’

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates prep for regional

Baseball News
Pirates headed to UVa

Baseball News
Tulane tops Pirates in American final

Baseball News
Saturday sweep puts ECU in Sunday AAC final

Baseball News
13 proves lucky for ECU

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Schwartz scores in transition

Baseball News
Pirates oust Cincinnati

Baseball News
Bulls upset ECU in AAC Tournament

Baseball News
Pirates arrrgh American champions again

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
ECU snatches late addition from Hoosiers

ECU Recruiting News
Class of 2024 starts with prized receiver

ECU Recruiting News
Late pitch lures lineman with pedigree

Recruiting Evaluation Part 2: Defense
Report card: Quality talent fills big holes

Recruiting Evaluation Part 1: Offense
Report card: Pirates reload at skill spots

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

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, June 2, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, June 1, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 31, 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
Friday, June 2, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, June 1, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 31, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 29, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 28, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday, May 27, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, May 26, 2023

More Web Roundups

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