CLEARWATER, FL — East Carolina coach Cliff Godwin used some N.C. State-based motivation before a run to the American Athletic Conference tournament championship, a mission the Pirates completed Sunday with an 8-2 win over Tulane at BayCare Ballpark.

ECU (33-25) watched ESPN’s 30 for 30 production of Survive and Advance, a documentary of the underdog Wolfpack’s 1983 NCAA basketball championship before going 4-0 in the league tournament.

Now ECU will watch the selection show on Monday (noon, ESPN2) to see their placement for their seventh straight NCAA Tournament.

“It’s been a grind this week, but our guys fought,” said Godwin after the Pirates won the event for the fourth time in his 11 years as coach.

ECU gave freshman starter Sean Jenkins (4-4) some early support with a 2-run homer by Jack Herring in the top of the first.

Godwin said he and pitching coach Austin Knight were initially hopeful that Jenkins could get through the Green Wave lineup one time, but the youthful right-hander went five and one-third innings as the Pirates extended the lead to 8-0.

Jenkins scattered four hits and allowed one run (earned) while walking one and striking out three.

ECU scored once in the fourth when Dixon Williams walked, stole second, moved to third on a bunt by John Collins and came home on a ground out by Ryley Johnson.

The Pirates added five runs in the fifth as two hit batters sandwiched around an error loaded the bases for a 2-run double by tournament MVP Braden Burress. Herring followed with an RBI single. Johnson had a 2-run double with two out.

Gavin Schulz had a solo homer for Tulane (33-25) in the sixth. The Wave added a run in the seventh on a ground rule double by Jason Wachs.

Ethan Norby pitched two and two-thirds innings in relief of Jenkins. He allowed three hits, one run (earned) with no walks and four whiffs. Brad Pruett came on to retire Tulane in the ninth as Williams turned a game-ending double play from short.

Each team had seven hits with Burress and Herring getting two each at the top of the ECU order.

The Pirates learn their NCAA assignment Monday.

“We’re not going to host this year,” Godwin said. “That’s abnormal for the Pirates. We’re going to go on the road.  … We’re ready to go wherever they send us.”