Carolinian
Student facing expulsion from ECU speaks out
ECU Student Faith Pellini posted a TikTok reading an open letter to ECU addressing her potential expulsion after assaulting a fellow ECU student at an off-campus party.
Pelini said she assaulted the student because he known to have allegedly raped seven other female students.
In the post, Pellini detailed how she went to an offcampus party, where she saw the student, where she assaulted him and then proceeded to spit on him.
Posting the TikTok under the username _@faithboi_, the video titled “Facing Expulsion at ECU over beating up a [Grape]ist,” has gotten over 1.2 million likes after a day of being posted.
In the post, Pelini said, “My voice will not be silenced by this school even in the face of expulsion.”
Pellini plans a peaceful protest in front of Ballard Residence Hall on April 2 in response to ECU.
The East Carolinian contacted Faith Pellini but did not receive a comment before the publication’s release.
The East Carolinian also contacted the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities but did not receive a comment in time for the publication’s release.
In an interview done by WITN ECU Deputy Police Chief Chris Sutton said the man accused has not been charged with anything by them and that they have tried to speak with other victims, but they have not cooperated.
On March 4, East Carolina University recognized more than 70 scholars, researchers, and innovators during the Research and Scholarships Award Ceremony. Leaders, faculty, staff, and students from the university gathered to honor those who made significant contributions to their field.
One of those honorees was Dr. Jeff McKinnon, a professor of biology at ECU, who received the Scholarship of Engagement Award for his work combining research, teaching, and community partnerships.
He finds it surprising to receive the award and says, “I didn’t think about whether my work fit a category—I just did what felt important. It was a happy surprise to be nominated.”
Some of the work that contributed to him receiving this award includes creating the Department of Biology’s Costa Rica study abroad program, which helps collect data for global conservation science databases like REEF and eBird.
Another recipient was Dr. Loni Crumb, Associate Professor in the Counselor Education Program and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Dr. Crumb received the ECU Trendsetter Award, which recognizes faculty excellence in research, mentorship, and community engagement.
Some of the projects she has been involved in include Don’t Wait-Communicate: Disaster Mental Health Preparation and Response in Rural Schools and Communities (Project Don’t Wait), which placed counselors in under-resourced rural
Pirates football host pro day
East Carolina University football held its pro day on Tuesday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with several standout players participating. The event, hosted annually, allows players to showcase their talents ahead of the upcoming NFL draft held on April 24, 2025.
The Pro Day includes a series of drills including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press, and position specific drills. Among others, star players including RahJai Harris, Winston Wright Jr, and Shavon Revel Jr. all participated. Revel, who has been rehabbing an ACL injury that he suffered last season, participated in limited drills such as bench press and basic measurements.
Revel is projected to be a late first round pick or early second round pick despite the injury with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers linked to him. Shavon is on track to be fully cleared this summer for
schools in eastern North Carolina.
training camp with whichever team ends up drafting him.
ECU Pirate great RahJai Harris also participated in the event, hoping to earn attention from team’s around the NFL with hopes to be drafted in April. Harris recently cemented himself as one of the best players to ever wear purple and gold with an 86 yard touchdown run in the final two minutes of the Military Bowl against North Carolina State University last season. Former ECU running back and current running back for the Baltimore Ravens was also in attendance to support his alma mater.
Star receiver Winston Wright Jr. ran an astonishing 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, along with other impressive performances from a total of 22 players. Offensive players caught balls from current ECU quarterback Jake Garcia in the positional drills. In attendance were a handful of NFL team representatives including personnel from the Washington Commanders, and Minnesota Vikings.
She was also part of the International Collaborative Action for Rural Education program (I-CARE), supported by the U.S. Dept. of State. In I-CARE, she conducted a reciprocal exchange with international partners in Nigeria to learn and share strategies to improve rural education and mental healthcare.
She says, “I was very excited to receive this award... Having my work honored by the university is a phenomenal opportunity to bring awareness to the concerns in rural communities."
University inventors were also celebrated, including Dr. Stefan Clemens, Professor in the Department of Physiology. He was recognized for his new patent that proposes a treatment option for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
RLS is a widespread neurological disorder that heavily affects sleep, and current treatments have only limited success in addressing the symptoms. His research at ECU has identified a novel angle for the treatment of RLS, and ECU has licensed this technique to a biotech company out of Chicago.
He said that the “translational outcome” of his research was only made possible because of the involvement of the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) early on, and that receiving this award is “recognition of the integral part of OTT” in connecting ideas generated at ECU to collaborating with non-academic partners.
Most college football teams host pro days across the country, with the goal to showcase players abilities that may have been flying under the radar during the season or college career. Along with uncovering hidden talent, pro day also allows star players to display their talents to some of the country's best NFL scouts.
The full list of participants include: OL Hampton Ergle, OL Dustyn Hall, RB Rahjai Harris, TE Casey Kelly, OL Parker Moorer, WR Jhari Patterson, TE Tyler Savage, OL Nishad Strother, WR Winston Wright Jr. LS Alex Harper, LB Mike Edwards III, DL D’anta Johnson, SAF Devon King, DL Jaden Mckenzie, SAF Kinston Mckinstry, DL Elijah Morris, LB Shane Perry, CB Shavon Revel Jr. SAF Omar Rogers, LB Xavier Smith, DL Chad Stephens, and DL Suirad Ware.
Ballard resident hall is the location
Garett Skillman TEC STAFF
Mark Roman TEC STAFF
Staff Report
Match day 2025: ECU medical students celebrate residency Match Day
The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University celebrated Match Day on Friday, as 68 out of 69 graduating students learned where they will begin their medical residencies. Match Day is one of the most significant milestones in a medical student's journey, it’s the moment they learn where they will complete their residency training.
The process begins months in advance, with students applying to residency programs in their chosen specialties. They go through interviews and then submit a ranked list of their preferred programs. More than half of the class will enter primary care, with 42% remaining in North Carolina and 20% matching ECU Health.
Award Honors a Lifetime of Achievement
Dr. Joseph A. Houmard, a professor of kinesiology at East Carolina University, has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Research and Creative Activity. Houmard has over 30 years of service at ECU and has secured over $16 million in research funding and published more than 225 peer-reviewed articles.
Houmard’s work, including his involvement in the NIH-funded MoTrPAC and STRRIDE studies, has advanced the understanding of how exercise improves metabolic function. Beyond his scientific impact, Houmard has mentored numerous students and researchers. Houmard credited his colleagues and students while accepting the award.
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS
Last week, we published a story about Sudiksha Konanki that contained incorrect information. We mistakenly reported that she was found dead after drowning in Punta Cana. In reality, she remains missing. Her parents have requested that she be declared dead, as they believe she drowned.
ECU student conducts research in Antarctica
Graduate student Tristan Bench, who majored in geology as an undergraduate, spent two months in Antarctica recording glacial ice melt to better understand the impact of climate change. Bench worked with physics professor Dr. Regina DeWitt on the research.
Bench primarily studied alluvial fan deposits. “An alluvial fan is a fan-shaped deposit at the end of a river or stream,” Bench explained. He collected samples from alluvial fans in the McMurdo Dry Valleys to determine when the glaciers melted.
“It’s an important thing to study in the Dry Valleys because it’s an environment with little activity, except for glacial advance and melt that occurs over millennia,” Bench said.
Bench conducted the research alone in Antarctica. According to ECU’s News Services, he survived on canned, dehydrated, and frozen foods, which he heated with a small portable stove.
Bench compared Antarctica to Death
Valley in California. “It’s just completely desolate. There’s nothing really growing, and it’s incredibly warm. The Dry Valleys are sort of like the Antarctic equivalent of that,” he said.
With limited distractions in Antarctica, Bench was able to focus entirely on his research. “Being there, it’s a very odd feeling to be in a location with no real activity—no birds, no trees—you can’t even really smell anything,” he said.
“There’s just so little sensory input. There’s not really much of a sensory environment out there,” he continued.
The most challenging part of being in Antarctica was the wind. “The weather— although I said it was in the 20s and 30s— often came with a persistent, biting wind that never went away,” Bench said.
“I think the worst part of the whole experience was dealing with that wind,” he added.
DeWitt, who conducted similar research in Antarctica about a decade earlier, said her experience was not much different from
Bench’s. “When you think about Antarctica, you imagine ice everywhere. But in the valleys, you have mountains on either side, and then a glacier coming down,” she said.
Bench began preparing for his trip seven months in advance. First, he underwent a medical examination to confirm he was fit to travel. Then, he completed extensive environmental safety training.
After training, Bench received a visa for New Zealand and then flew by helicopter to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. At McMurdo, where about 1,500 people were stationed— mostly contractors and tradespeople—he underwent additional training.
“I had to learn a bunch of environmental lessons, like how to use ham radios in case I couldn’t contact the station with my walkietalkie,” Bench said.
Bench and DeWitt said they do not yet have the results of their research, but they expect them within the next few months.
“The sooner, the better,” Bench said.
fan deposits for research. This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
Graduate student Tristan Bench stayed at a campsite while conducting research in Antarctica. He was primarily
Dakota Hamm TEC STAFF
OUR VIEW
We, the editorial staff of The East Carolinian believe that Medicaid is key in preventing drug overdoses and recent developments put this at risk.
The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities across North Carolina and the country. While this crisis continues, Medicaid acts as a significant helper. It provides access to essential healthcare services that help prevent drug overdoses and support individuals with substance use disorders. Morally and from a public health perspective, Medicaid is a necessity.
North Carolina’s decision to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act was a step in the right direction. Expansion has helped low-income individuals obtain more access to substance use treatment and mental health care. This addresses the root cause of addiction (a psychological issue) rather than just treating symptoms as they arise in a nonsubstantial way. States that have expanded Medicaid have reported a decline in opioid-related deaths, demonstrating the direct impact of healthcare access on overdose prevention.
The House of Representatives reconciled the budget recently and the House Energy and Commerce Committee has to achieve $880 billion in cuts over 10 years. Unfortunately, this means there will be cuts in both the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program which will risk the health of so many individuals across the country.
Instead of cutting Medicaid, we should focus on providing extra funding that can be used for addiction treatment programs, mental health initiatives, etc. Investing in Medicaid is an investment in public health.
PIRATE RANTS
Seriously, the UNC system is trying to prohibit ECU from teaching students about the word “culture,” and the East Carolinian isn’t even bothering to report on it? At all?
He’s a piece of shit that lies about everything he was even married to Brandy when he got sworn in.
Whoever makes the prices at the pirate marts needs to be curb stomped.
How long is it going to take them to finish the construction around campus? Is it really that difficult to put some bricks together?
the government message leaks are so embarassing. how on earth does that even happen????
Man I hate the pollen. I am coughing, sneezing and farting. It does not help that I ate 2 sleeves of off brand oreos with milk yesterday.
It’s too easy to get emotional support animals in your dorm. Your cat doesn’t want to stay cooped up in the same room all day.
From wildfires to plane crashes, this year is certainly one to think about. Recently though, the main thing that has been on the minds of students, educators, and staff alike is the elimination of programs as well as the proposed cuts to federal aid.
Many students use these programs to not only live while in school but to also pay for all that comes with it. Be it bills or tuition, without these programs students may be forced to return home.
“I think it’s definitely taking a toll
The Department of Government Efficiency’s path of destruction through the federal government leaves little doubt that Elon Musk and his hand-selected staff have no idea what the federal agencies are intended to do for the citizens of the United States.
A leaked audio recording from the acting commissioner of Social Security Leland Dudek confirms as much. In it, he says to a room of staffers and contractors that the “DOGE kids” are unfamiliar with Social Security, and that he is working to educate them. “They’re learning, let people learn, they’re going to make mistakes,” Dudek warned in the recording.
Most Americans are likely unaware that their trillions of dollars of Social Securitytax contributions and benefits and deeply private personal data is mere educational fodder for what amounts to a group of unvetted, non-competitively hired interns. Indeed, Musk’s needless destruction exposes the lie at the heart of DOGE’s mandate, which is that it will make the government more efficient.
For too long, Americans have equated inefficient with wasteful, casually assuming that the federal government is susceptible to both. In fact, the government’s sphere is defined by where efficiency fails to produce the outcomes that Americans want. Musk won’t change that, and in his own way he may help usher in a new era of big government.
The most efficient allocation of goods and services is through an open market. When a market fails, it’s not that the process of allocation has failed but rather the result of the allocation is a failure. This is where the government’s mandate begins, to allocate those goods and services whose
mentally as I’m sure it is with other people. 95% of students use financial aid to attend schools so it’s definitely scary,” said Kristen Madkins.
As the elimination of programs and the looming threat of elimination to the federal aid system hangs over students, some are choosing to take a more stand-off approach to world news and news in general. Be it by not viewing it or trying to stay away from the headlines that populate most social media platforms. Whether it be for their mental or emotional well-being.
“I’m a little neutral on it because there’s not much we can really do to change anything about it,” said Samiya Staton.
This is a very complicated issue that is
broad and overwhelming as students just try to navigate through their day-to-day lives as full-time students with jobs and bills to pay.
“I feel like everything going on just puts a lot of people in a bad spot mentally,” said Daniel Cousin.
Overall, the current climate in the world at large is scary and unpredictable as people especially students juggle their responsibilities while at the same time trying to get a degree that they have poured their time and energy into pursuing while in their years here at ECU.
market allocation fails our needs, economy or principles in some way. The private market maximizes a company’s profit; the government maximizes the public’s welfare.
A government allocation, by design, won’t be market efficient and shouldn’t be market efficient. The private market for health insurance, for example, has decided that, on average, elderly individuals have a much higher instance of dying when they get sick, andinsuring the elderly is a prohibitively expensive undertaking, so they won’t do it. They’re right that putting resources toward dying 85-year-olds is not efficient but denying them help is cruel and unfair. This is why we have Medicare.
It’s popular to just exclaim that the
federal government is inefficient, when there are many examples — Medicare along with hundreds of other programs — where Americans don’t want market efficiency. It’s similarly obvious in places where the federal government has yet to intervene but desperately should. The private market has efficiently allocated the precious service of child care but in such a way that provides early education to the children of only the richest parents.
The private market for homeowners, flood and fire insurance has decided it’s inefficient to serve tens of millions of homeowners in California and Texas.
Arts & Entertainment
TODAY
The Droptines
New York Theatre Ballet held at ECU
On March 22, East Carolina University School of Theatre and Dance hosted the New York Theatre Ballet at Wright Auditorium.
the company will collaborate with the ECU dance students at the School of Theatre & Dance, introducing them to contemporary and innovative approaches to ballet.”
to see the dancer so close,” Wright said. “I got good seats close to the stage, so I was really able to see the technique and the emotion on the dancer’s faces.”
TOMORROW
According to the press release, the New York Theatre Ballet held a two-day residency on March 20-21, leading up to their performance on March 22.
The press release said, “New York Theatre Ballet, founded in 1978, performs small classic masterpieces and new contemporary works for adults and innovative hour-long ballets for young children, all at affordable prices.”
Davis said by email the New York Theater worked with ECU Dance Students and local children at Katura Dance Academy.
The concert featured three pieces, Sideslip, Minnetta Creek and Firebird, which were under the direction of artistic director Steven Melendez and managing director Sophie Blue.
The press release said, “While in Greenville,
Alia Romano, an ECU dance major and volunteer at the event, said it’s really important to host these events to help promote Greenville and establish it as a destination for professional dance.
Romano said volunteering for the event is not only a great way to support her department, but she also gets points for her club.
“I love the expression, and I’ve been doing it since I was 3,” said Romano. “It’s really great, I love everything about it and the NYT is amazing.”
Hope Wright, an ECU communication major, said she had been looking forward to the ballet since January, when she saw an advertisement for it in the student center.
Wright said she loves ballet and had never seen one in person before so she was thrilled to have the opportunity to experience it through ECU.
“My favorite part about the ballet was getting
Josiah Barrow, management specialist at US Tool, said he was invited by his partner to attend the event and it was his first time seeing a baller performance in person.
Barrow said he liked how the host explained the performances for beginners and how the show showcased three different dance genres.
“I enjoy the 1910s genre,” said Barrow. “It was called the Firebird, and it was quite easy to follow and it was just very pleasant.”
Barrow said that while he enjoyed all three performances, the one he liked the least was the post-modern adaptation at the beginning of the show, titled Sideslip.
“I’ve never really been to a ballet special,” Barrow said. “I’m definitely interested in trying again and going and seeing maybe even a bit more.”
SATURDAY
A stage in motion: ECU’s spring dance
Mark Roman TEC STAFF
On March 26, ECU’s School of Theatre and Dance will begin performing its Spring Dance at McGinnis Auditorium. Ticket prices started at 20$ for the general public, 15$ for seniors and $10 for students and youth.
The performances featured are “St. Mark’s Place” choreographed by Tommi Galaska, which is an homage to New York, featuring artists like Billy Joel, Lana Del Rey and LCD Sound system. “Raison D’etre”, which means the most important reason or purpose for someone’s existence, is choreographed by John Dixon and features music by Hegarty Anohni.
“Muddy Waters,” choreographed by Sayward Grindley, is a tribute to the hurricane victims in Western NC and explores what happens in a community after a traumatic event. The dance has music from Dolly Parton, Roberta Flack and Delta Rae.
“Depth (of) Perception,” choreographed by Adrian Jones, explores themes of self-perception and how people handle them. The dance featured music by Michael Jackson, Kendrick Lamar and Tyler the Creator.
“For the sake of shaping” is choreographed by Claudia-Lynn Rightmire, the guest artist featured this semester, and has music by Hannah MacKay and the Beach Boys. The piece is about the many selves people hold within them and layers accumulated of the different spaces one holds over time.
“Kuku Beyla” choreographed by Merinda Evans is a look into the Republic of Guinea and
its traditional Kuku dance and features music by Soul in Motion, Michael Friend and Yuma Bellomee, who are drummers that perform this traditional rhythm.
Timothy Lynch is concert coordinator and also has a piece titled “Thrift Store Chronicles,” which he choreographed with Dirk Lumbard. He says it’s “almost like Night at the Museum, but they get stuck in a thrift shop.”
The dancers in his piece get transported to different decades and each one has a different dance style, blending all types of dances from different decades.
Lynch says that the program has “something for everybody” and wants people to come enjoy the show.“ I want people to come to a
dance performance and leave with a deeper appreciation for it” said Lynch.
Kyleigh Burton is a graduate assistant for the 24-25 academic year and was the creative rehearsal assistant for Sayward Grindley in “Muddy Waters” and assistant choreographer for John Dixon in “Raison D’etre.”
Burton says she wants attendants to “just come in with open eyes and just an appreciative mind for artistry of all different kinds, and just take away whatever dance means to you.”
The Spring Dance featured contemporary, modern, ballet, jazz and tap dance styles.
Classifieds & Puzzles
Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 6 — Maintain mystery. Don’t reveal your secrets all at once, with Venus in Pisces. Fantasies abound. Prioritize quiet time. Finish old jobs and rest peacefully.
HOROSCOPES
Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Have fun with friends. You’re especially popular for the next month, with Venus retrograde in Pisces. Community collaboration flourishes. Share what you love.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Grow your career toward a passion over the next month, with Venus backing into Pisces. Watch for professional opportunities advancing an old dream.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Set goals, and plan your next adventures. Travel, explore and study, with Venus retrograde in Pisces over the next month. Discover new worlds.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Find a sweet deal. Review family finances this month, with Venus in Pisces, and rediscover ways to save. Increase your assets. Expect expenditures.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Collaborate on creative projects. Partnerships flow with familiar ease, with Venus backing into Pisces. Compromise on details. Share support around a challenge. Strengthen bonds.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Prioritize your work, health and vitality, with Venus in Pisces this month. Push to provide excellent results. Practice recharges you and builds energy.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Remember who and what you love this month, with Venus retrograde in Pisces. Create works of beauty. Develop hobbies, passions and talents. Share your heart.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Burrow into your love nest. Enjoy domestic renovation over the next month, with Venus in Pisces. Prioritize home and family. Increase the comfort level.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Study something fun. Words flow with ease. Express from your heart, with Venus in Pisces. Take advantage to write and issue communications. Connect.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Do what worked before. Gather income from reliable sources. Venus retrograde in Pisces can get especially profitable. Focus on providing simple, classic excellence.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Try a new style or look. You’re in the spotlight again over the next month, with Venus retrograde in your sign. You’re irresistible.
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
The East Carolinian Sports experts predict this week’s events
Garett
Skillman
TEC Sports Editor
ECU VS. RICE Score Prediction?
ECU 3-0
Why?
After two consecutive series sweeps, ECU’s bullpen looks unstoppable at the moment which is why I think the Pirates win all three games. The bat’s are coming alive compared to the start of the season and we have the luxury of having a few stud pitchers that are throwing on Saturdays and Sundays after Ethan Norby takes care of business on Friday nights. Cliff Godwin has this team rolling and Rice is a subpar team so give me the Pirates to sweep the weekend.
Cannon Gates WZMB Station Manager
ECU VS. RICE Score Prediction?
ECU 3-0
Why?
There’s no reason for the pirates to not sweep Rice this weekend considering coming off back to back weekend series sweeps against William & Mary and Memphis. I think the bat’s will stay hot and Ethan Norby dominates Friday, then we get great pitching performances from Pruett, Jenkins, and the rest of the bullpen on Saturday and Sunday.
Caleb Johnson Sports Reporter
ECU VS. RICE Score Prediction?
ECU 3-0
Why?
Give me the Pirates to get their third consecutive weekend series sweep. The squad has been in good form as of late. They’ve shown an ability to win games both defensively with their bullpen and offensively with some fire power in the batter’s box. With Rice currently 5-19 and sitting at last place in the American, East Carolina should make easy work of the lesser opponent in their first conference road series.
3.27.25
Pirate’s Basketball season review
The East Carolina University men’s basketball team concluded the 2024-25 season with a 19-14 overall record and a 10-8 mark in the American Athletic Conference, reflecting significant progress under third-year Head Coach Mike Schwartz. Prior to this year, the last winning season for the Pirates came during the 2012-2013 season.
A standout moment of the season was the thrilling double-overtime win against George Mason University (27-9, 15-3 Atlantic 10 Conference) on November 16, 2024, where Senior guard RJ Felton delivered a stellar performance with 27 points.
Senior guard RJ Felton, the heartbeat of the team, led ECU in scoring this season with 18.8 points per game. His offensive consistency throughout the season was complemented by his continued defensive intensity and a career-best 37.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Felton also contributed 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, capping off a stellar senior season that will be remembered in Greenville for years to come.
Senior forward C.J. Walker emerged as a reliable interior presence, second on the team in scoring, averaging 16.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 50.8% from the floor. His ability to finish inside and control the paint gave ECU a much-needed scoring option in the post.
Senior guard Jordan Riley contributed on both ends of the floor, averaging 14.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. His defensive tenacity was evident as he led the team with 2.0 steals per game, often
guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter threat. Riley’s athleticism and versatility made him one of the most impactful players on the roster.
Running the offense at times was senior guard Cam Hayes, who averaged 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and a teamleading 4.0 assists per game. Hayes also shot an impressive 86.3% from the free-throw line. Hayes took care of the ball and provided leadership at the point guard position along with coming through in late-game situations.
Junior guard Jayshayne Woodard continued to develop as a key rotation piece, averaging 5.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per contest. His all-around contributions and ability to fill multiple roles gave ECU flexibility throughout the season. Woodard recently announced he
This weekend the East Carolina University baseball team (15-9, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) will travel to Reckling Park in Houston, Texas to take on Rice University (5-19, 1-3 AAC). After taking care of business this past weekend vs Memphis University (1112, 0-3 AAC), the Pirates will be looking to complete their second sweep in a row against an AAC opponent.
The Pirates, currently sitting in first place in the American, have been in great form as of late. ECU has been getting great use of their starting pitching and bullpen, spearheaded by their Friday night starter sophomore lefty Ethan Norby and junior righty Ethan Young out of the pen, East Carolina as a group, is sporting a 3.89 earned run average.
East Carolina has also been productive in the batters box over their last few outings. The team is batting with a combined .273 average with four batters hitting with an average over .300. The Pirates now have four run rule victories in their last 10 games.
With the return of junior lefty Ryan Towers, sophomore righty Brett Antolick, and senior outfielder Ryley Johnson on the horizon. ECU’s bullpen is setting up to be in
will be returning to ECU next year. As a team, the Pirates averaged 75.8 points, 37.2 rebounds, and 13.3 assists per game. They shot 43.6% from the field and 31.6% from three-point range. ECU’s defense forced opponents into 13.5 turnovers per game, and their rebounding margin was competitive against top teams in the AAC.
The Pirates season included big wins both at home in Minges-Coliseum and on the road. The season highlighted by strong conference performances and clutch moments from our senior leaders. While the season came to a close without a march madness berth, the groundwork for future success has been established. We are in for another very exciting season next year and should be excited for what the future holds.
a great place. Facing off against the worst team in the conference record wise in the Owls next weekend, the Pirates appear to be in good shape as they have made quick work of almost all of the lower competition they have faced this season.
The Owls are batting with a .252 average this season so far and are pitching with a 6.75 ERA. Rice will play two mid-week games this week heading into the weekend. This will require them to use up a good amount of their arms before they face off against ECU. In their last 10 games, Rice is 3-7 and in their last 15 games they are 3-12. Needless to say they are not in the greatest form as of lately. The series will be played at Reckling Park in Houston Texas and will start Friday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s game will start at 5 p.m. and Sunday’s game will throw the first pitch at 2 p.m. All games will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and will be available to listen to on 94.3 the game.
Logan Harlow TEC STAFF
Senior guard Jordan Riley throws down the two handed dunk against conference opponent Tulane University at home in Minges Coliseum.
Caleb Johnson TEC STAFF
BECCA ERZEN I THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Graduate student forward C.J. Walker drives to the basket against Tulane in Minges Coliseum.
Cam Hayes
Brett Antolick
C.J. Walker