Carolinian
Future Pirates attend Pirate's Aboard event
Future Pirates learned what ECU offers during the Pirate’s Aboard event as part of Admitted Students Week last Saturday. The event took place at The Mall and lasted from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Various clubs, campus organizations, and club sports gathered in The Mall to show prospective students what ECU has to offer. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions’ website stated, “This is your opportunity to connect with your future classmates and professors from our eight colleges while also learning about our organizations and services.”
Prospective art student Lana Shafiq
visited several tables during the day and said, “It’s a chill event.” “Going to each table and seeing what is here is cool,” Shafiq added.
Many of the tables at the event were set up to show prospective students what they could look forward to in the future. Other tables showcased resources that prospective students can use to make the most of their time at ECU.
The Peele Center’s table was a popular spot for prospective students. Graduate student Paul Edwards, who was at the table, said, “It’s really important to be out at these events to say, ‘Hey, queer people are everywhere, and we’re here to support the incoming queer students of the future
student body.’”
Another important campus organization tabling at the event was Support, Educate, Advocate (SEA). According to The Pirate Experience, the S.E.A. initiative is “dedicated to the prevention of and successful recovery from sexual assault.”
Sophomore Marshall Malone, who is majoring in physics and biology and is a S.E.A. member was at the table and said, “I just want to spread awareness for my organization.” “Sexual assault is a serious issue, and it can happen to anyone, and it can happen anywhere.”
ECU alumna confirmed as last Secretary of Education
The Department of Education has a new Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, who was confirmed by the Senate, who is also an ECU graduate.
The Senate voted 51-45 to confirm McMahon, with all Republicans voting for her while all Democrats voted against. McMahon previously served as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019.
She has also had some involvement in education, having been appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009, where she held a seat that same year.
She will now oversee the dismantling of the Department of Education and essentially fire herself, as ordered by President Trump in an executive order earlier this month. Dismantling the department would place full responsibility on the states for handling education.
In a statement released by the DoE, Secretary McMahon said, “Education is fundamentally a state responsibility. Instead of filtering resources through layers of federal red tape, we will empower states to take charge and advocate for and implement what is best for students, families, and educators in their communities.”
In an interview on the White House YouTube page, McMahon stated, “The President signed an executive order to shut down the Department of Education and have me be the last Secretary of the Department of Education.”
She also stated that she and the President believe “governors, state departments of education, superintendents, and parents can certainly have more input into the education of their students.”
In the statement released by the DoE, McMahon said they would work “responsibly” through Congress to “ensure a lawful and orderly transition.”
However, dismantling the DoE won’t be an easy task, and if it happens, many programs that benefit the American education system could be negatively affected.
For example, Title I, which directs money to schools with students living in poverty, could be impacted, and a potential 180,000 teaching positions could be lost.
This weekend East Carolina baseball (18-10, 6-0 American Athletic Conference) will face off against Florida Atlantic University (19-9, 2-4 AAC). The Pirates are coming off of their second consecutive series sweep in the American and will look to make it their third against FAU. ECU maintained control of their first place spot in the American last weekend with a 3-0 sweep over Rice ( 4-13,1-5 AAC). The Pirates are ahead of both University of Texas San Antonio (23-7, 5-1 AAC) and the University of South Florida (16-9, 5-1 AAC) by just one game. FAU had a rough outing against UTSA last weekend. The Owls suffered a 3-0 sweep on the road in San Antonio. FAU, predicted to finish sixth in the preseason coaches poll in the American, is currently on pace to do so sitting in that sixth place spot.
In terms of batting average, ECU currently holds a .273 average as a team which ranks 164th in the nation according to the NCAA. On the flip-side, the Owls are currently batting with a .312 average which ranks 27th in the nation according to the NCAA. When considering earned run average, the Owls currently have a 3.81 which puts them at 23rd in the nation. The Pirates are sitting at 32nd in the nation with a 3.95 ERA.
Given the statistics and the conference teams East Carolina have faced, the Pirates are up for their toughest matchup yet in the American Conference, especially in a week where they play two mid week games against in-state opponents. Head Coach Cliff Godwin will need to be smart in how he uses his pitcher this week in order to produce the results he, the team, and fans all expect. The return of sophomore RHP Brett Antolick and junior LHP Ryan Towers could help the Pirates if they are somehow fit enough to play. With 5 games this week, we can expect to see a handful of different players up on the mound. With the return of senior Ryley Johnson and the solid play of freshman Alex Peltier there will be a tough decision that has to be made for who gets the start in the center field position. Based on this weekend and Godwin’s decision to play Johnson vs Rice, Godwin may go with the side of experience
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which handles the disbursement of about $15 billion to support students with disabilities, could also be affected. If transferred to another agency, these funds may be less likely to be distributed effectively.
The DoE also administers Pell Grants, federal student loans, and loan repayment and forgiveness programs. Dismantling the department could potentially lead to families losing this support.
infielder and right handed pitcher Colby Wallace warming up before start time.
Mark Roman TEC STAFF
Linda McMahon
PHOEBE GREGG I THE EAST CAROLINIAN
Future Pirates learned about what ECU offers during the Pirate's Aboard event as part of Admitted Students Week last Saturday at the Mall.
Dakota Hamm TEC STAFF
PHOEBE GREGG I THE EAST CAROLINIAN ECU students standing beside a ECU Transit tent at the Pirate's Aboard event.
PHOEBE GREGG I THE EAST CAROLINIAN Water bottles being handed out during Pirate's Aboard.
BRIEFS
ECU School of Theater and Dance hosts Spring Dance
East Carolina University’s School of Theatre and Dance presented Spring Dance 2025, which featured a diverse lineup of performances that put together dancing and music. The biannual concert included choreography from faculty members and guest artist Claudia-Lynn Rightmire, along with a student choreographed piece by ECU senior Adrian Jones.
Rightmire presented her dance, “For the sake of shaping”, which explored the different versions of self individuals inhabit in various spaces, while Jones’s, “Depth (of) Perception” examined daily life patterns and the struggle for control over how others perceive us. Jones was selected as this year’s student choreographer,and incorporated music from artists like Kendrick Lamar, Tyler, the Creator, and SZA to help the storytelling.
ECU alumni Hurricane Helene relief update
Six months after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, East Carolina University alumni continue to play key roles in the recovery efforts.
Bob Barnhill, who is a chairman of Barnhill Contracting Company, has led crews in repairing critical roadways.
Former ECU football player Dekota Marshall who is the owner of 1st and Goal Hauling, has used his fleet of dump trucks to transport materials for road and bridge reconstruction.
Construction management alumni
David Price has also helped raise over $600,000 in grants and is working with organizations to provide shelter and supplies to displaced residents. Despite all of the progress, officials estimate it could take over five years for some communities to fully rebuild. ECU’s alumni remain committed to helping people in western North Carolina recover from the storm.
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS
If you feel there are any factual errors in this newspaper, please contact editor@theeastcarolinian.com.
Match Day at Brody School of Medicine
Trisha Rangaraju TEC STAFF
On March 21, medical students at the Brody School of Medicine celebrated Match Day, discovering the residency programs where they will spend the next few years of their medical journey.
According to Dr. Amanda Higginson, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Brody, Brody students consistently achieve strong Match results, with their Match data meeting or exceeding the national Match rate for U.S. MD seniors. She believes this reflects the strength of Brody as a medical school and the valuable experience students gain there.
Dr. Higginson explained that Brody offers a holistic, longitudinal career advising program for all medical students. Each student is paired with a mentor during their M1 year as part of the Foundations of Doctoring course.
“Throughout their time in school, we have regularly scheduled class meetings to discuss career advising and the Match process in general,” said Dr. Higginson. “During their M4 year, each student meets with me 1:1 for an individual residency advising/match planning session. Students also have access to national resources through the AAMC (Residency Explorer) and TexasSTAR which help students assess their individual competitiveness for residency programs.”
Michael Denning, a member of the Class of 2025, recently matched into the Pediatric Residency and LAUnCH Program at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. He credits Brody’s strong training and support for helping him achieve this milestone.
“Training at the Brody School of Medicine truly opens medical students' eyes to the breadth and depth of health and socioeconomic disparities, especially in rural communities,” said Denning. “Our curriculum and faculty not only hone our clinical skills and medical knowledge, but also ensure we are compassionate and caring future physicians who are prepared to apply the lessons of community, collaboration, and service to mankind in any setting.”
According to Dr. Higginson, Match is a lengthy process with the application system opening in June. Over the next four months, students complete interviews before creating their rank lists, while programs do the same. The NRMP Match algorithm then pairs students with residency programs.
“The Match process is really unlike any
other system within professional education and it is stressful not to have full control over where you’ll end up for residency,” said Dr. Higginson.
“It is sometimes hard to know what criteria programs are using to screen applicants, or how they are using the available data (like board scores, grades, extracurriculars, etc).”
Surrounded by family, friends, classmates, and faculty, the students opened their envelopes to discover the next step in their medical careers.
Before receiving their results, each student had the chance to walk across the stage to a song of their choice, accompanied by a personalized slide displayed on a projector screen. This marks a pivotal moment of their lives.
“I strive to stand in the Brody-spirit of advocacy and human connection as I transition to residency,” said Denning.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
CONTRIBUTED BY SARAYU ADALA
Pranaya Pakala, a 4th year medical student, matched in Internal Medicine at LSU-New Orleans.
Opinion
OUR VIEW
US Political climate has created student uncertainty
We, the editorial staff of The East Carolinian, believe that the current political climate in our country has created uncertainty and hardship for many people. As political divisions become larger, government decisions have had real and lasting effects on everyday Americans. The removal of important programs and cuts to federal aid have been detrimental to those who rely on these resources the most, including students, low-income families, and underserved communities.
These changes have placed additional burdens on people who are already facing financial difficulties, making it harder to break out of poverty among other issues. Many students now find it more challenging to afford tuition, textbooks, and other educational expenses, limiting their opportunities for a better future. Cuts to healthcare funding have left families with fewer options for medical care, forcing them to choose between their health and other necessities.
Leaders’ decisions affect everyone’s daily lives, so they should think about the longterm impact. The choices they make today will shape the future. Policies should help and support all people, making sure no one is left behind. A strong nation takes care of its people, and we urge leaders to focus on the well-being of their communities and put this above any other goal they may have.
PIRATE RANTS
made in Pirate Rants.
Landfill on the Lawn isn’t just a gesture—it’s a bold wake-up call. Our trash exposes blind consumerism, driven by endless buying that ultimately ends in waste.
ECU’s inability to punish rapist made Faith Pellini inevitable.
Who invented drinking water? I drank too much water today and I am running to pee every 5 minutes.
My horoscope tells me just be quiet and focus on myself I think just generic advice because most people are like this.
The horoscope for Cancer suggests setting goals, planning adventures, and exploring new opportunities, which feels like general advice that could apply to me. If I already had plans to discover something new, it might feel spot-on.
The new ChatGPT image generator is actually it for us. we’re cooked. People can’t even be bothered to pick up a pencil anymore. Enjoy you and your ugly boyfriend in the studio Ghibli style or whatever i guess.
It’s so annoying how we can’t schedule appointments at Student Health on the website. Like I do not want to wake up ay 8am when I’m sick just to make an appointment and be on hold for 30 minutes.
As part of Disney’s live-action remake trend, Snow White premiered last week to disappointing box office results and terrible reviews from fans and critics.
Although the results aren’t surprising, considering the constant backlash during its production and promotional run, some moviegoers, myself included, still hoped the film might be enjoyable. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
The recent Snow White follows much of the same storyline as the original, but as with most Disney remakes, the studio modernizes it by incorporating current popular ideologies into the narrative.
There are several issues with the movie, which will be addressed, but it’s also worth noting one thing they got right: making a
comforting film. While I might not have enjoyed it, I can see how a child somewhere would have fun watching it.
My first criticism of the movie is the casting. While Rachel Zegler is talented and nailed the singing, she doesn’t fit the role of Snow White, often coming off as a theater brat more than anything.
Gal Gadot, on the other hand, looks great in her role and does attempt to exude grandeur, but it all fails due to her downright terrible acting.
It’s shocking that these two actresses were cast in the first place. While Zegler has a musical theater background, she doesn’t resemble Snow White in the slightest. As for Gal Gadot, her casting feels like an injustice to the many talented musical theater actresses who truly deserved this opportunity.
My second criticism is the production. For a movie that had a reported budget of around $200 million, it’s disappointing to
see none of that investment on screen. The sets were unimaginative and looked faker than a middle school play.
The costumes were also disappointing, and it’s hard to blame the costume designers, as they were clearly following a specific direction. The colors were muted and the designs were simple, fitting the onedimensional world Disney seemed to want, so they could easily reproduce and sell these costumes to the masses.
Additionally, turning the Dwarves into CGI characters was a poor decision. This choice made the film feel overly cartoonish and not in a charming way. It didn’t help create a believable world, leaving you feeling detached and uninterested rather than immersed in the story.
On March 12, French artists, DJs, and musicians united to fight the threat of the far-right government in France that they felt was a threat to democracy in their country.
More than 1,200 artists, DJs, and promoters from the French music industry came together to galvanize “the world of the night” into political action and to protest the possibility of the first far-right French government since the Second World War.
As well as performing, many of the artists gave voice to why they felt compelled to perform.
Lucas Langlais — founder of record label Unfair Music and a member of the Front Électronique (FE) — stated, “Our culture has remained silent for too long. We can no longer stand idly by without acting to defend who we are and the people we love.”
“The electronic scene has always been a refuge for diversity, whether it be sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or individual beliefs. We believe that music and dance are powerful means to resist intolerance and celebrate freedom of expression.”
The artists came together to ask fellow citizens to combat the “dangerous wave of racism and homophobia in response to the rise of the far-right in France.”
So, where are American artists today in America?
Where is Luke Combs, who so eloquently performed “Love Can Build a Bridge” in 2023 at the Grammys?
Given the divided times we live in and the heated rhetoric in American politics, an inclusive and healing message is needed now more than ever. The lyrics that Luke Combs sang should be heeded by all
Americans and all politicians today:
Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge
Don’t you think it’s time?
Don’t you think it’s time?
I would whisper love so loudly
Every heart could understand
That love and only love
Can join the tribes of man
I would give my heart’s desire
So that you might see
The first step is to realize
That it all begins with you and me
And where is Taylor Swift today? In the fall of 2024, she stepped into the fray, endorsing Kamala Harris for President, and announced she would be voting for Harris because she believes “we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by
calm and not chaos.”
There is a long history in America of artists stepping forward when the principles of our nation are challenged, but where are the artists, songwriters, and performers in America today?
They are strangely silent.
If today’s stars come together like they did in France, they can build a movement for Democracy; A movement that is not Democrat or Republican but one that dismisses old definitions of right and left and instead focuses on values, and blossoms into an optimistic vision for the future of America.
As “We Are the World” did in the 1980s, today’s artists can inspire citizens to become active participants in healing and change.
Arts & Entertainment
TODAY
Art and Soul of the East City Art Gallery
511 Red Banks Rd, Greenville, NC 27858
6:00
4:30
Homeschool Art Class
Jaycee Park Center for Arts & Crafts
2000 Cedar Lane, Greenville, NC 27858
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM 252-329-4546
Knife Forging Pitt Community College
986 Pitt Tech Rd., Winterville, NC 28590
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM 252-493-7317
TOMORROW
April Exhibitions at Emerge
5:00
ECU hosts the Billy Taylor Jazz Festival
Mark Roman TEC STAFF
On March 26, ECU’s School of Music held its first evening of the Billy Taylor Jazz Festival, which would continue to have performances all throughout the week and weekend. It was held at the Fletcher Music Center and was free to the public.
The jazz festival is named after American jazz pianist and composer Billy Taylor, who was born in Greenville and was the Robert L. Jones Distinguished Professor of Music at ECU.
It featured “swing” jazz music such as “88 Basie St,” “Bye, Bye Blackbird,” and many more jazz tunes performed by ECU’s Jazz Ensemble-(B,) which is a performing lab band that consists of mostly non-music majors.
A crowd of “62 people” was gathered in room B110 for that evening’s performance, says Kobie Watkins, the Billy Taylor Jazz Festival director and assistant director of jazz studies at ECU.
He says that although most of them aren’t music majors and don’t perform as often as the other jazz ensemble, they still “Practice and they work hard, and they’re diligent about being at rehearsal,” which allows them to perform at a high level.
He wants attendants to leave “wanting more” and “inspired to tell others” about the event.
Chip Newton is an assistant professor of guitar and jazz at ECU and the director for the night’s performance and chose the music that was to be performed. He says that as the director, his job is to “find tunes that enhance their (the band’s) strengths” that make for a great performance.
He says he wants people to come and “enjoy live jazz, and I want them to go out and seek more jazz wherever they can because it really is an organic art.”
Dawson Jenkins is a grad student in jazz performance. he says that he enjoys the process of rehearsing and getting ready for the performance, but “when you perform, afterwards you’re just like oh man, I want to do it again.”
He wants those attending to leave satisfied with the performance and says, “I just want them to be, like that was really cool, I want them to feel good.”
Wednesday evening’s performance was also live-streamed through the School of Music’s Youtube. This performance kicked off the Billy Taylor Jazz festival, which included performances by Jazz Ensemble-(A) and other invited guests and bands.
ECU MFA Thesis Exhibition Opening Reception Greenville Museum of Art
802 S. Evans Street, Greenville, NC 27834
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM 252-758-1946
Downtown Greenville First Friday ArtWalks Downtown Greenville NC Greenville , NC 27858
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM 252-551-6947
Pop In Pop Art: Ceramic Garden Markers Emerge Gallery and Art Center
404 S. Evans St., Greenville, NC 27858
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM 252-551-6947
SATURDAY
Latin Social Night | PSBC X Anita’s Pitt Street Brewing Company
630 S Pitt St., Greenville, NC 27834
6:00 PM to 11:00 PM 252-227-4151
PirateFest 2025 Greenville Toyota Amphitheater 105 E. 1st Street, Greenville, NC 27858
11:00 AM to 7:00 PM 252-329-4543
QAR Lab Open House: The Science of Archaeology and Conservation
Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Lab 1157 VOA Site C Road, Greenville, NC 27834
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 252-744-6721
How theaters are surviving the downturn
LOS ANGELES — As the year started, movie theater owner Damon Rubio was feeling optimistic. His six-location theater chain’s revenue projections for January and February were tracking ahead of 2024’s weak theatrical grosses. Rubio himself was looking forward to films like Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho’s “Mickey 17” and Paramount Pictures’ comedic Jack Quaid thriller “Novocaine.”
But by the end of February, “things kind of dropped out on us,” said Rubio, owner and president of D’Place Entertainment, which operates theaters in California cities including in Barstow, Cathedral City and Bonsall. His chain’s revenue is still ahead of last year but only “marginally.”
“I wouldn’t call it apocalyptic, but I would call it abysmal, so I guess it’s a step up,” he said with a laugh.
Rubio is luckier than many.
Ahead of this week’s CinemaCon convention, where Hollywood studios present footage of their upcoming films to hype theater owners up for the year ahead, the industry is grappling with a brutal start to the year at the box office. So far, box office revenue is down 11% compared with the same period last year, which was already down significantly from pre-pandemic levels, according to Comscore. March was especially weak, down 50% from the same month in 2024, according to Eric Handler,
media and entertainment analyst at Roth Capital Partners.
Walt Disney Co.’s troubled live action “Snow White” was the main offering at theaters in March, compared with last year, which boasted blockbusters like Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Dune: Part Two” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” and Universal Pictures’ “Kung Fu Panda 4.”
The overall decline in attendance is a longterm trend that accelerated during the pandemic and hasn’t recovered since. Theaters are also still grappling with the loss of casual moviegoers, an audience that got used to watching films from their couch and shortened theatrical windows.
“The quarter will almost certainly limp to the finish,” Handler wrote in a note to clients.
Handler attributed the slower business to the lack of compelling releases, noting that the upcoming second quarter looks “extremely strong” compared with last year. Theater operators are counting on films such as Warner Bros.’ “A Minecraft Movie,” Disney’s live-action “Lilo & Stitch,” Universal’s live-action “How to Train Your Dragon” and Sony Pictures’ “Karate Kid: Legends.”
And with upcoming films like Universal’s “Jurassic World Rebirth,” Warner Bros.’ “Superman,” Disney’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and the animated “Zootopia 2,” cinema owners hope the rest of the year will pack a punch.
“We’re approaching normal again,” Handler said by phone. “The industry’s got clean air for the first time in years.”
Domestic box office totals for all of 2025 are
expected to total $9.5 billion, an 8% increase compared with last year, though still down 17% compared with an average of the last three pre-pandemic years, according to a report from Gower Street Analytics. (That $9.5-billion figure was revised downward from an earlier expectation of $9.7 billion due to the “lack of breakout hits so far in 2025,” Gower Street said.) For Rubio of D’Place Entertainment, it’s not that the films aren’t good. He said he fears moviegoers are pulling back on discretionary spending amid an uncertain economic landscape dotted with concerns about President Donald Trump’s tariffs, inflation and a wobbly stock market.
“I do think it maybe spooked the average consumer just a little bit,” Rubio said. “They’re taking a breath, waiting to see it play out. Unless the movie is just overwhelmingly compelling to them, I think they’re willing to sit on the sideline.”
The quarter has been “a little bit disappointing” at Temecula’s Temeku Cinemas, as films like Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Snow White” underperformed, said Heidi Robertson, chief executive of Tristone Cinemas, which owns the theater.
But family films like Universal’s “Dog Man” and StudioCanal’s “Paddington in Peru” (distributed by Sony in the U.S.) did well for the theater, and their quarterly results will end higher than last year’s numbers, she said.
Classifieds & Puzzles
Aries (March 21-April 19)
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
— Today is a 7 — Help at home. Solve domestic challenges with communication, discipline and heart. Process recent events with family. Share nurturing foods and activities. Relax together.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 6 — Consider where you’ve been and what’s ahead. You can be especially productive behind closed doors. Give up something you no longer need. Make plans.
HOROSCOPES
Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Study the options. One direction appears blocked. Communication channels may not flow clearly. Luck and hard work are a winning combo. Follow the hottest lead.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Deep emotions can surface. Pursue a lucrative opportunity. Keep your treasures hidden. Keep your day job until the night job pays. You’ve got this.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Do the homework with a personal challenge. Take charge of your destiny. Abandon limiting inner monologues. Create an inspiring objective and focus on it.
COMICS
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Listen to your team for a wider view. Review the rules. Determine the obstacles or challenges to address. Align forces on plans. Advance together.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Professional changes present a challenge. Consider all points of view. Assess the scope and potential impacts of different options. Get expert advice when needed.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 6 — The answer you seek is elusive. Monitor conditions before committing. The news could affect your decisions. Check routes for potential blockage. Craft backup plans.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Collaborate for shared financial gain. A challenge requires teamwork. You can provide skills your partner doesn’t have. Assess the scope of what’s needed.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Compromise with your partner. Listen before advancing to avoid communications breakdown. Follow your emotions as well as intellect. Patience and humor are helpful.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — When you reach a barrier, don’t keep pushing. Stop and look around. Gentle pressure works better than brute force. Avoid breakage. Assess the facts.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Keep your word, especially with the ones you love. Stick to the rules of the game. Avoid someone else’s argument. Rest and relax.
Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews
The East Carolinian Sports experts predict this week’s events
Nick Green WZMB Sports & News Director
ECU VS. UNCC
Score Prediction?
ECU 3-0
Why?
The Pirates so far have played well in conference play going 6-0, with a home weekend series against FAU coming up. While FAU is better in competition than Rice or Memphis, I think the home crowd and the momentum we’ve built can carry us to a weekend sweep. If we drop a game I think we would only drop one due to us saving arm for NC State on Tuesday.
Garett Skillman Sports Editor
ECU VS. UNCC Score Prediction?
ECU 2-1
Why?
I think ECU will fall one game due to the sole reason of a tough schedule before and after this weekend series. We play two games in the mid-week then take on a tough FAU team, and then follow it up with in-state rival NC State. I think we’ll be fatigued while also trying to save guys for the big game against NC State, but I do think we still win the series and stay atop of the American Conference.
Caleb Johnson Sports Reporter
ECU VS. UNCC Score Prediction?
ECU 2-1
Why?
The Pirates have played great lately against conference opponents. With two mid-week games this week before the weekend series against FAU, I believe the Pirates may be fatigued and have a lack of arms this weekend. FAU is one of the hotter hitting teams in the country so ECU will be up for their biggest challenge so far in the American conference. Regardless, it’s possible ECU does get its third consecutive AAC sweep, but for now I’m going 2-1.
Pirates softball drop series to 49ers
East Carolina University’s softball team (19-16, 6-6 American Athletic Conference) faced in-state rival University of North Carolina at Charlotte (17-20, 5-7 AAC) in a three-game series at Sue M. Daughtridge Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Despite a record-tying offensive explosion in Game 2, the Pirates dropped the series, losing two out of three games.
In the first game, the Pirates took an early lead in the second inning when junior shortstop MaryKathryn Scott launched a two-run home run to left field, putting ECU ahead 2-0. However, the 49ers responded emphatically in the bottom half, with sophomore infielder Teagan Ritchie hitting a solo home run followed by a three-run shot from freshman utility player Jaylah Jarrell, giving Charlotte a 4-2 advantage. ECU struggled offensively for the remainder of the game, while Charlotte
BASEBALL continued from A1
may go with the side of experience in Johnson once again.
Freshman outfielder Braden Burress has been exceptional to start the season. He has been a spark in the East Carolina offense, batting with an average of .395 in just 76 at bats.
Braden Burress
Burress has also been exceptional defensively playing in both corners of the outfield and even in the infield last
added to their lead with a two-run homer in the fifth and another in the sixth, invoking the run-rule with an 11-2 victory. Pitcher Kendall Frost took the loss, surrendering 10 hits and 10 runs over 5.1 innings. Determined to bounce back, the Pirates unleashed a historic offensive performance in the second game, tying an AAC record with seven home runs.
Junior outfielder Emma Jackson led the charge, going 4-for-5 with five RBIs, including three homers. Graduate student first baseman Morgan Johnson also had a standout game, recording a 5-for-6 performance. ECU jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by Jackson’s solo homer and Johnson’s two-run shot. Although Charlotte responded with four runs in the second, the Pirates regained control with a three-run homer by Logan Sutton in the third.
The offensive onslaught continued with multiple home runs in the fifth inning, solidifying a commanding lead. In the series finale, ECU once again took an early lead. Emma Jackson continued her hot streak, blasting a solo home run to center field in the first inning. The Pirates added another
weekend. The Pirates will need to keep riding his recent play if they are going to continue dominating the American Conference.
Dixon Williams
run in the second on a sacrifice fly by grad student catcher Annie Kate Dalton, scoring Taylor Evans and making it 2-0. Charlotte answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the second and took the lead in the fourth with a two-run double by junior infielder Savanna Nguyen, followed by an RBI double from freshman catcher Addison Lund, putting the 49ers ahead 4-2. The Pirates narrowed the gap in the sixth inning but left the bases loaded, unable to capitalize further. Charlotte added an insurance run in the bottom half and held on for a 5-3 victory. Pitcher Taylor Apple took the loss, recording four strikeouts over four innings. With the series loss, ECU’s record stands at 19-16 overall and 6-6 in AAC play. The Pirates aim to regroup as they prepare to host Norfolk State University on April 2 at home in Max R. Joyner Family Stadium in Greenville, N.C.
writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
Junior infielder
Dixon Williams will also be an X factor for the Pirates this weekend. One of the leaders of this ECU ball club, Dixon was off to a hot start to begin the season but has been walked often by opposing teams as of late. Getting him back to his earlier form would be big for
East Carolina. Williams is batting with a .302 average in 96 at bats, he’s recorded six home runs with 29 hits and 28 runs so far. The series will take place this weekend and will be played home at Clark-LeClair stadium in Greenville, N.C. This matchup will kickoff Friday at 6 p.m, followed by the second game Saturday at 4 p.m, and the final game Sunday at 1 p.m. All games will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and will be available to listen to on 94.3 The Game.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
JJ Adams FOR THE EAST CAROLINIAN
COURTESY OF
East Carolina University softball players celebrate at home plate after home run against in-state rival University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Mary Kathryn Scott
Taylor Apple