GREENVILLE — East Carolina built an early lead and Pirate pitchers protected the advantage as ECU downed Old Dominion, 8-2, at Clark-LeClair Stadium on Wednesday for Coach Cliff Godwin’s 400th career win.

“I didn’t play in any of those games,” Godwin said of the milestone. “I’ve had a lot of great players, had a lot of great coaches. Jeff Palumbo (associate head coach/recruiting coordinator) has been with me every step of the way.

“It’s super humbling to be able to coach at your alma mater for sure and I just thank God that He gave me that opportunity.”

Gary Overton, who recruited Godwin, has the most wins in program history (427).

The Pirates scored four runs in the first inning after Alex Peltier led off by reaching on an error. Michael Kalinich drew a walk with one out before Peltier scored on a single down the right field line by Walker Barron.

Austin Irby hit a 3-run homer to right off Monarchs starter Frankie Wright (0-1) on a full count pitch.

Right-hander Jaden Winter (1-0) got the win, allowing three hits and one earned run through two and two-thirds innings. He walked one and struck out two.

Freshman Ian White Jr. held ODU scoreless for an inning and one-third before Lance Williams yielded one run over the ensuing inning and two-thirds.

Ethan Young went the final three and one-third innings for his first save.

Dixon Williams homered for the Pirates in the eighth to complete the scoring.

Maverick Stallings had two hits and drove in a run for the Monarchs (2-5).

Irby finished with two hits and three RBIs as ECU improved to 3-5 going into the Keith LeClair Classic.

The Pirates host Kent State (1-5) on Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Virginia Tech (6-2) and Indiana State (5-3) will open the event on Friday at noon.