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BAILEY'S TAKE
ON PIRATE SPORTS
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From the Anchor Desk
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
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By Brian Bailey |
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Diamond Pirates
primed for opener
By
Brian Bailey
©2007 Bonesville.net
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It’s finally baseball week
at East Carolina. The nationally-ranked Pirates hit the road this
weekend to take on 2007 Super Regional participant South Carolina in
Columbia.
South Carolina is ranked as
high as No. 2 in the polls. The Gamecocks are 2nd in the Collegiate Baseball
Poll, No. 3 in the ESPN-USA Today Coaches’ Poll, and 12th in the Baseball
America rankings.
East Carolina is 24th in the
Baseball America poll, but not included in the other two listings.
Pirate coach Billy Godwin says
his team just wants to play someone in different color jerseys.
“If we go down and do the
things we’re capable of doing, we’ll be very good,” said Godwin. “We’ve got
some veteran guys who aren’t going to be intimidated in that environment.
We’re just excited about playing a team in the other dugout.
"We’ve got all of the respect
in the world for South Carolina, for sure.”
The Pirates wrapped up the
preseason with another set of scrimmages at Clark-LeClair Stadium this past
weekend.
The highlight of the weekend
was Saturday’s announcement at “Meet the Pirates” that Drew Schieber was
selected to wear the number 23 to honor former Pirate coach Keith LeClair.
Schieber was thrilled with the
honor.
“To represent Coach LeClair
and all that he stood for is just such a blessing for me and my family,"
siad Schieber. "Really, all these guys are equally deserving. The fact that
the coaches chose me is such an honor, as he was such a great man.”
Originally, I really wanted to
see the number 23 retired. I didn’t even think about the idea of letting one
player wear the number each season. It was a truly gem of an idea, and it
always means so much to so many to see that number 23 back on the field at
East Carolina.
“In the back of my mind, I’ll
always be thinking about why the Pirates are where they are,” Schieber
continued. “It’s because of the testimony of a great man, the way he lived
his life and all he did for the Pirates.”
Coach Godwin was pleased that
Schieber was the choice.
“Certainly, the impact that
Coach LeClair had on this program, it’s monumental,” said Godwin. “Drew
Schieber, and we had several outstanding candidates, has so many
similarities in what he does in what Coach LeClair’s vision was for this
program.”
Godwin and company head to
South Carolina with this rotation for the three games:
T.J. Hose with start on Friday
afternoon. Hose has really been solid throughout the early practices.
Freshman Seth Maness will get
the nod on Saturday. Sunday will feature Auburn transfer Justin Bristow.
Also from the Pirate camp,
Trent Ashcraft is questionable for the opening series. Ashcraft made a great
catch in one of the scrimmages this weekend, but banged his shoulder up in
doing so. The injury is not serious, but Ashcraft may need time to heal.
That injury could send
Stephen Batts to leftfield and mover Brandon Henderson to the starting
spot at first base.
The Pirates play three games
at South Carolina, and then head to Elon for a single midweek game next week
before opening at Clark-LeClair stadium with that series against Monmouth
beginning Feb. 29.
The South Carolina series
should be an exciting one. I know many Pirate fans are planning on making
the trip. Hopefully the weather will hold up for what should be a great
series.
BB
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04/21/2008 07:08:15 PM |
