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News Nuggets, 04.04.06
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

ECU hurler Taylor earns league's weekly honor

East Carolina senior pitcher Brody Taylor was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Week by league officials on Monday. The announcement marks the second time this season a Pirate has earned such honors, following Jake Smith's selection as hitter of the week on Feb. 27.

Sophomore outfielder Tyson Auer of Central Florida captured the weekly hitting award after nearly hitting for the cycle in both of his team's wins at Marshall.

Taylor, a Shelby native, tossed his first career complete game shutout Sunday afternoon in beating Houston 3-0 at Clark-LeClair Stadium. On the day, he faced 33 batters, allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out six.

"Having coached Brody at Louisburg and now at ECU, he is by far one of the best pitchers I have every worked with," said Pirates coach Billy Godwin. "It is great to see him come back and be as effective as he has been thus far after sitting out last season. Against Houston, he had outstanding command of three pitches and really kept their hitters guessing."

After sitting out last season with a medical redshirt, Taylor has posted a 4-1 record in 32.2 innings, allowing just seven runs (six earned) while boasting a 1.65 ERA. He currently ranks second on the team in strikeouts with 24 and has given up the fewest hits from a Pirate starter.

ECU (18-12, 2-4) will play host to N.C. A&T tonight at 7 p.m. The Pirates have a C-USA series at UCF this weekend.

Central Florida's Auer came up a home run shy of the cycle in in each of the Knights' wins over the Thundering Herd. Auer finished the week 7-for-13 (.538) in three games, with two doubles, two triples and 11 RBI's, including a career-high six runs driven in on Friday night. He added a walk, two stolen bases and four runs scored on the week.

Pirates prepare for Purple-Gold Game

East Carolina officially began its last week of spring workouts with a two-hour session Monday afternoon at the Cliff Moore practice complex, according to a release from ECU's sports media relations department.

The Pirates returned to action in shells after conducting their second intra-squad scrimmage of the season Friday afternoon at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. After its 13th practice of the spring period Monday, ECU has just one more workout scheduled for Wednesday before closing camp with the Purple-Gold Game on Saturday at 3 p.m.

"I thought we made some more progress Friday," second-year head coach Skip Holtz said after reviewing the game tape over the weekend. "We've still got a ways to go to get where we want to be but there were many positives to build on, both offensively and defensively."

Holtz indicated he adjusted the program's depth chart Monday morning to reflect some of the more impressive performances from Friday's contest. One of the most notable changes was the promotion of redshirt freshman Brett Clay to the sole understudy position behind James Pinkney at quarterback after sharing the status with Patrick Pinkney last week.

Holtz also shuffled personnel on the No. 2 offensive line with the insertion of freshman transfer Andrew Farr at right tackle, redshirt freshman Stephen Heis at right guard, junior Fred Hicks at center, redshirt freshman Joshua Stahl at left guard and senior Lance Neisz at left tackle.

Some players solidified their standing after Friday's scrimmage, Holtz said, noting second-team defensive tackles Wendell Chavis and Dontre Brown and top reserve safeties Herman Best and Chris Mattocks.

"It's all about making plays," Holtz said. "While I was pleased with the intensity, enthusiasm and the physical part of it, this is the stage of the spring where you look for execution and people who consistently make plays and a difference out there. As I've said before, this is a work in progress and changes are part of it."

After Wednesday's full-gear practice, East Carolina's coaching staff will conduct a player draft to select roster positions for the Purple-Gold Game at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Tickets are $5 for the game or $10 for the game plus a plate of barbecue from the Pirate Purple-Gold Pigskin Pigout Party. Tickets can be purchased at the ECU Athletics Ticket Office or by calling (252) 328-2300 locally or (800) DIAL-ECU outside the Greenville area.

Wooden watches final from hospital

The Los Angeles Times reported that John Wooden planned to watch UCLA play Florida for the national basketball championship from a hospital room Monday night, surrounded by family members.

The 95-year-old Hall of Fame coach was admitted to a Los Angeles-area hospital Sunday for an undisclosed condition that was not considered serious. He is expected to be released in the next day or two, according to a statement from UCLA's sports information office.

The result of the game was unlikely to lift the legendary coach's spirits as Florida upended Wooden's former team 73-57 to claim its first national title in basketball.

Wooden retired from UCLA in 1975 with a record of 620-147 in 27 years as coach. The Bruins won 10 championships under the "Wizard of Westwood," including seven in a row. The streak included 38 straight NCAA tournament victories.

Wooden was the first person inducted into basketball's Hall of Fame as a coach and player. A native of Martinsville, IN, he starred on Purdue's basketball team in the 1930's.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from other sources. Copyright 2006 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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