East Carolina Baseball: A New Season Dawns with Xavier Series
GREENVILLE, N.C. – The East Carolina Pirates are set to kick off the 2026 baseball season with a three-game homestand against Xavier University at Lewis Field at Clark-LeClair Stadium. This marks ECU’s first encounter with a Big East opponent since a 2023 victory over Georgetown.
Pirates Poised for Continued Success
Head Coach Cliff Godwin enters his 12th season leading the Pirates, having already become the program’s all-time winningest coach with a career record of 432-214-1. ECU finished the 2025 season with a 35-27 record, culminating in an American Conference Tournament Championship and an NCAA Regional appearance.
The 2026 roster features a blend of experience and fresh talent, with 20 returning players joining 21 newcomers. Key returners include left-hander Ethan Norby, who logged 90 innings last season with an 8-5 record and 119 strikeouts, and sophomores Braden Burress and Austin Irby, both Freshman All-Americans in 2025. Burress led the team with a .389 batting average, even as Irby was a defensive stalwart at first base.
New Faces to Watch
Several newcomers are expected to make an immediate impact. Gavin Van Kempen, a transfer from West Virginia, is slated to start on the mound Saturday. Incoming freshmen Grady Lenahan and Colby Weber have as well garnered attention, being ranked among the top impact freshmen by D1Baseball.
Projected Pitching Matchups
- Game 1: Ethan Norby vs. Ryan Peich
- Game 2: Gavin Van Kempen vs. Jack Nobe
- Game 3: Colby Weber vs. Jack DeTienne
Scouting the Xavier Musketeers
Xavier arrives in Greenville with a 35-27 record from the 2025 season and a 14-7 mark in Big East play. The Musketeers faced a challenging schedule, including matchups against ranked opponents like Tennessee and LSU. They boast a .262 team batting average and will glance to build on their strong performance in the Big East Conference.
Looking Ahead
Following the Xavier series, the Pirates will travel to Buies Creek to face Campbell on Tuesday, February 17th, followed by a home game against Northern Illinois on Wednesday, February 18th.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where are the ECU baseball games played?
A: Lewis Field at Clark-LeClair Stadium in Greenville, N.C.
Q: Who is the head coach of the East Carolina Pirates baseball team?
A: Cliff Godwin.
Q: What conference did Xavier play in during the 2025 season?
A: The Big East Conference.
Q: How did ECU perform in the 2025 postseason?
A: ECU went undefeated in the American Conference Tournament to claim the championship and earn a berth in the NCAA Regionals.
Did you know? Ethan Norby’s 119 strikeouts in the 2025 season were the third-most in a single season in East Carolina program history.
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