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 Baseball Schedule
• ECU 2021-22 Hoops Schedule

— Recruiting Thumbnails —
• 2022 Football • 2023 Football
• 2022-23 Basketball

The Bradsher Beat on ECU Softball
Pirates set to host back to back tournaments

February 13, 2020 By Bethany Bradsher Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

One of the most obvious differences between collegiate softball and baseball rosters is the number of names on the pitching staff. Because of the difference in the wear and tear exacted by the different throwing motions, baseball teams carry ten or more pitchers, while Division I softball teams can get by with as few as two.

But just because they can manage with a staff that small, that doesn’t mean it’s preferable. The 2020 version of the East Carolina softball team is enjoying the luxury of fielding four different pitchers who can contribute in different ways in different situations.

A well-stocked toolbox at that key position, as well as in other areas of the field, gives the players and staff confidence as they prepare for two consecutive home tournaments.

“I’m really excited about the depth that we have on this team, especially in the circle,” said head coach Courtney Oliver. “It’s not something that we’ve had in the past. Having four pitchers that can throw consistently throughout the weekend and contribute has been huge for us. We’ve also got a lot of depth in other positions as well, where we’re going to be rotating through our lineup a bit just to give people opportunities and see who steps up and who performs.”

ECU softball coach Courtney Oliver (ECU Media Relations)

Those four pitchers — juniors Whitney Sanford, Erin Poepping and Kama Woodall and freshman Logyn Estes — all got to contribute in the Pirates’ opening weekend at the Kickin’ Chicken Classic in Conway, SC, a tournament that allowed the coaches to test those various lineups and see players step up behind the plate in five games against Iowa, Campbell twice, host Coastal Carolina, and Virginia Tech.

After their team emerged from the tournament 2-3, two ECU seniors spoke of the talent, depth and unity they saw and the strength their team gained as they prepare to play for home crowds at the Pirate Clash this weekend and the Pirate Invitational next weekend.

“Overall, it was a super positive weekend,” said catcher Abigail Umphlett. “I feel like we came out very strong defensively and offensively. We were hot in those first few games. I think it was a good sign, just seeing everybody come out and the team working together as a whole.”

With talented teams like DePaul, Pittsburgh and Massachusetts coming to their stadium to play in their two tournaments, the Pirates are spending their weeks of practice focusing on the key areas the coaches deemed it necessary for them to sharpen after their opening weekend.

Umphlett knows her team will be tested, but she said, “I don’t know if it’s that they’re challenges — I think they’re opportunities to get better.”

Outfielder Olivia Narron, who collected five hits and four runs for the Pirates last weekend, said the outfield’s emphasis this week has been on good communication and pinpoint throws, and on offense they have focused on situational hitting.

In addition to the abundance of talented players at pitcher and other places on the field, the 2020 Pirates are also characterized by strong junior and senior leadership, she said, and those experienced voices have helped the underclassmen embrace the culture and work ethic of the program quickly.

“‘I feel like we’ve all just kind of bought into our program, what we want to do here, and we have a lot of leaders to lead the freshmen and underclassmen, let them know what the program’s all about,” Narron said.

Two newcomers in particular have made their presence known right away — freshman Logyn Estes, a Swiss army knife of a player who clinched her first win as a college pitcher and hit her first college home run in the same game when the Pirates defeated Campbell 4-1 on Sunday, and junior transfer Chandley Garner, who came to ECU this fall from N.C. State and currently leads her new team with a .400 batting average.

Those two, along with veteran contributors like Narron, Ashleigh Inae and Rachel McCollum, could help produce some exciting home field moments for the fans that come to get their first look at the team this weekend.

“We’ve got a lot of games coming up and every game is important,” Oliver said. “We don’t treat anyone different from the other. I always tell the players, we don’t play to the name on the chest. We play everyone the same, and we respect the game.”

VIEW ECU 2020 SOFTBALL SCHEDULE ON ECUPIRATES.COM
PIRATES SET TO HOST BACK TO BACK TOURNAMENTS
TULSA DOWNS PIRATES
YOUNG PIRATES GROWING UP IN SPURTS
TIME TO REBUILD A BRIDGE
PIRATES PULL AWAY FROM TULSA FOR FIRST ROAD WIN
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

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
Linebacker with pedigree charts path to ECU

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates in grind mode

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates find a gem in Palmetto State receiver

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates (No. 73?) open preseason camp

ECU Recruiting News
Official visit swayed North Mecklenburg star

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Houston looks ahead on AAC Media Day

ECU Recruiting News
Physical Georgia receiver poses tough matchup

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates continue development

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates project lineman Durant as center

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Schwartz adds to staff

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
Tweets by bonesville

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
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

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets quarterbacks of the future

AAC Football Recruiting News
Transfer portal reshaping AAC football programs

Class of 2022 Defensive Report Card
ECU’s former weak link becoming big strength (updated)

Class of 2022 Offensive Report Card
Help is on the way for blocking corps (update 3)

American Athletic Conference Recruiting
Bearcats lead AAC’s early signing push

Class of 2022 In-depth Analysis
Surprises, depth highlight early recruiting haul

VIEW FROM THE EAST
‘What a difference a year makes’

Football Recruiting Report
Prolific receiver Webb may enroll early

Football Recruiting Report
Another gifted running back headed to ECU

Football Recruiting Report
ECU wins pledge from hotly recruited RB Gunn

Football Recruiting Report
Coveted lineman Sacra may enroll early

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, August 15, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, August 11, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, August 10, 2022

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
Monday, August 15, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, August 11, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, August 10, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, August 8, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, August 7, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday, August 6, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, August 4, 2022

More Web Roundups

Copyright © 2022 Bonesville.net · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in · Privacy Policy