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
Pirates grind to success

May 19, 2022 By Al Myatt 1 Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

East Carolina extended its winning streak to 11 games with a 7-6 nonconference win over visiting Campbell on Tuesday night. The surge has carried the Pirates to their third straight regular-season championship in the American Athletic Conference.

The Camels had won 24 of their previous 26 games and led 5-2 going to the bottom of the seventh.

“Just so proud of our guys and our coaching staff,” said eighth-year ECU coach Cliff Godwin. “We were 14-13 … after we lost the first game at Cincinnati in conference play, and we’ve been 20-5 since then. … The guys have bought into being extremely selfless. Doesn’t matter if they’re starting on the mound and go one or two innings, and just passing the ball. Everybody has been working hard to continue to get better, even when we weren’t playing well.

“And this day and age, for people to be selfless and continue to grind when there’s so many naysayers, and so much negativity outside of our locker room, I’m just as proud of this group as any group I’ve ever coached. And yeah, we’ve got a lot of work to do, still left to do. And we’re not just going to live on this award. We’re going to continue to get better. But I’m just super-proud, and I’m just glad that they persevered through a really tough start and a lot of adversity handed to them in a lot of different directions.”

Cliff Godwin (Twitter.com/ECUBaseball)

USF series

The Pirates have won nine straight AAC games, including a sweep of South Florida at Clark-LeClair Stadium last weekend.

“Three totally different games,” said Godwin of the series with the Bulls. “(C.J.) Mayhue gave us a great start and I thought we played well on Friday night, Saturday, get behind, 3-0. J.C. (Jacob Jenkins-Cowart) has a huge walk with two outs, I think in the third inning. And then Bryson (Worrell) hits a 2-run homer, and it’s 3-2. You know, we went to the bullpen early. Trey Yesavage was good. (Carter) Spivey was outstanding.

“And we were able to expand late and Josh Grosz threw a great inning. (Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman) threw a great inning. And then Sunday, Jake Hunter was outstanding. I mean, he was really, really good, and it was a close game. We were up 2-0. And then they tied up 2-2. We score a run. But really, I thought the eighth inning when Ben Newton had two outs, two strikes on him, continued to foul off pitches, battled, and then just moved the baseball with two strikes in kind of no-man’s land, and beats out the ground ball to first base. And then (Jacob) Starling gets hit by a pitch, and A-Mac (Alec Makarewicz) hits a 3-run homer to really blow it open a little bit and make the game feel different.

“We go up 6-2, and Ben Terwilliger was outstanding out at the bullpen, as well. So overall, great weekend. Any time you can sweep a team, it’s tremendous. And all our guys did a good job of finding different ways to win.”

Short week

The Pirates start a 3-game series with Houston at home tonight at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+).

The ECU coach talked about the short week.

“Nothing really changes in my mind,” Godwin said Tuesday. “We’re going to do everything we can to win tonight (vs. Campbell). And we’ll practice on Wednesday, and get ready for Houston Thursday, Friday, Saturday.”

The series with the Cougars looked like it might impact the AAC regular-season title several weeks ago. The Pirates have eliminated that potential drama.

“We’re going to do everything we can to win every game that we can,” Godwin said. “I mean, that’s always been my philosophy. That’s not going to change. Somebody is hurt and they might rest a little bit, but as long as they’re healthy, we’re going to put the guys out there to give us the best chance to win.”

Newton more productive

Catcher Ben Newton has boosted his batting average to .300 with a recent tear.

“He’s really been a glue guy for us this year,” said Godwin, a catcher for the Pirates in his playing days. “I didn’t say this publicly when it happened, but his grandmother passed away, and he’s from Colorado, the end of the weekend of the VCU series. So he actually flew home Sunday morning, early, missed the third game of VCU, and then missed the Tuesday game (vs. N.C. State). And we didn’t catch the baseball well those two games. We lost those two games on Sunday and Tuesday again,

“That’s another example of just this team having to battle through adversity. Since he’s been back, has been tremendous. I mean, the reason our pitching staff, one of the biggest reasons is, because Ben Newton’s back there. And he communicates with Coach (Austin) Knight (pitching coach), and he communicates with the pitchers. He receives the ball extremely well, blocks the ball extremely well. And now he’s having really competitive at-bats and worked really hard last week on slowing his feet down and just seeing the baseball better. And he had a great weekend offensively this weekend. He’s a good player. Just glad he’s on our side.”

Hunter emerging

Freshman right-hander Jake Hunter threw five and one-third no-hit innings in his start against USF on Sunday.

“He’s done a really good job, and it’s amazing,” Godwin said. “Early on, I think the first couple weekends he was good. Then he wasn’t good. We put him in the bullpen, and he’s worked hard with Coach Knight. He’s also worked hard with the strength coach, Coach (Dennis) Wilson, with his diet and just shaping his body up. And I think that has allowed him to repeat his delivery more and have more self-confidence. … The fruits of the labor are showing up, and we just need them to stay the course and keep working hard.”

AAC Tournament

The Pirates start play in the conference tournament on Tuesday. ECU has never won the AAC regular-season title and league tournament in the same season.

“We’ve never done it both in the same year,” Godwin said. “That’s one thing we haven’t accomplished here. We’ve never won the regular season and the tournament in the same year.

“It’s Clearwater, Florida, which in my opinion, everybody should go down there for vacation on Memorial Day week and pack the place. I would say we have probably the most fans that go down there, and I think it continues to grow every year that we go down there. I think COVID probably put a little dent into it, obviously, but I like the setup. It’s not a home field advantage for anybody unless we’re playing. I feel like it’s a pretty good Pirate crowd there.”

Road success

ECI is 20-8 at home this season and 15-10 on the road.

“Playing so many road games early on definitely made us tougher,” Godwin said. “When we weren’t winning some of those games, I think just having to go on the road, continue to just grind, I think it’s made us a lot more confident down the stretch.”

Return to polls

ECU’s winning streak has the Pirates back in the polls at No. 21 in the Collegiate Baseball rankings.

“It’s good for fans, but hopefully our guys don’t get comfortable,” Godwin said. “We need to continue to try to get better and continue to play our best baseball down the stretch.”

ECU 2022 BASEBALL SCHEDULE
PIRATES GRIND TO SUCCESS
ECU EDGES CAMPBELL, 7-6
PIRATES CLINCH AAC CROWN
ECU CAPTURES SERIES, BOOSTS CONFERENCE LEAD
PIRATES TAKE SERIES OPENER WITH BULLS
PIRATES AIM HIGH FOR INTERIOR LINE TALENT
PIRATES PREVAIL AT LESS THAN BEST
PIRATES TOP DUKE, 5-4

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: Baseball, News & Features

Comments

  1. AAARRRGGGGHHHHH! says

    May 19, 2022 at 12:32 pm

    So very thankful for the amazing coaches that we have in Pirate Nation right now. In particular, Godwin and Houston. Classy men who do things the right way. I hope all in Pirate land will let these fellas know how much we appreciated them and what they are both building in G’Vegas. Love to see them here for a long long time.

    Exciting times for Pirates. It’s fun to watch the boys of summer and now, genuinely looking forward to the fall again. Also Looking to see the BB Pirates get on track and be a competitor on tobacco road.
    Thanks for all you do!!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recent News & Features

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

Basketball News
Owls pull away from ECU in second half

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

Basketball News
Small matter costly in ECU loss

VIEW FROM THE EAST
The new American

Basketball News
Bearcats beat ECU from long range

Basketball News
Memphis run tops ECU

Basketball News
Kelly leads UCF past Pirates

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
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

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets quarterbacks of the future

AAC Football Recruiting News
Transfer portal reshaping AAC football programs

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Thursday, January 26, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, January 25, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, January 23, 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
Thursday, January 26, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, January 25, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, January 23, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday, January 21, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, January 18, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, January 16, 2023

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, January 15, 2023

More Web Roundups

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