Carolinian
lina Association of Student Governments.
Daniel Walker and Katie Council have won the 2025 Student Government Association (SGA) Executive Ticket at East Carolina University.
Walker will assume the role of president, with Council as vice president, when they take office at the SGA Banquet on April 2nd.
The two candidates won the election with 1,471 votes, securing 81.86% of the total votes. Meanwhile, their opponents Deories McLendon and Cole Villagomez received 326 votes, which accounted for 8.14% of the votes.
“We’re going to be an externally facing executive board,” Walker said. “You're going to see a lot of us around, whether it be at your club meetings, on the mall or in the student center.”
Daniel Walker is a public health major and currently holds the position as director of University Affairs for SGA. He also serves as the vice president of Health and Wellness for the University of North Caro-
Walker said one of their plans is to implement the ECU Health Express, a discrete system for students to pick up essential items at a Neighborhood Service Office (NSO). The program will provide items such as feminine hygiene products, health kits and resource cards for health services.
“Another thing we want to bring is a public health vending machine,” Walker said. “So students can have access to low cost medication such as ibuprofen or cold medication in a reasonable manner.”
Katie Council is an accounting student in the College of Business and a member of the Brinkley-Lane Scholars Program. She was also involved in the Toolbox Leadership Academy and served as Vice President of Philanthropy for Alpha Xi Delta.
Council said they want to bridge the gap between availability and accessibility, for example with transportation. They plan to partner with Uber on a subsidized ride program, using SGA funds to cover
East Carolina (17-12, 9-7 American Athletic Conference) defeated the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1019, 3-9 AAC) Sunday 78-76. With this win, the Pirates have now put themselves in a place where if they win out, they will secure the 4th seed in the conference and a first round bye in the AAC Tournament. ECU has also secured its first winning season since the 2012-2013 season.
Sunday was also senior day for the Pirates, They honored three seniors, guard RJ Felton, guard Cam Hayes, and forward C.J. Walker. The players were joined by their families pre-game where they were honored in front of the crowd at Minges Coliseum. Each player was given a framed jersey and flowers to celebrate their hard work.
Felton led the scoring charge for the Pirates with 27 points. In what was ultimately his second to last game in front of the Pirate fans in Minges, Felton put on a show. He hit big shot after big shot and embraced the crowd multiple times throughout the game playing with pure passion.
It is safe to say he will be missed here in Greenville. Felton is one of the all time greats to wear Purple and Gold. He is a top three scorer all time at East Carolina and has had unwavering loyalty to this school.
“East Carolina is my home. I said before I got here I wanted to change the culture, I wanted to win here and be one of the best players over here”, RJ Felton said.
Junior guard Jayshayne Woodard and senior guard Jordan Riley also contributed heavily to the outing. Woodard scored 14 points and snagged five rebounds. Woodard made some clutch free throws and made several impact plays on the defensive side in his 26 minutes. Riley scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
costs, ensuring student fees benefit students directly.
“ECU does a great job of offering a lot of great resources,” Council said. “So we really want to make those resources transparent to the students and let them know they’re not only available to them, but they're accessible.”
Walker and Council also plan to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into various ECU platforms. They plan to use AI to assist both students and advisors by creating personalized semester plans as well as helping students filter and identify scholarships they are eligible for.
Their campaign also featured the "We Hear You" pillar, which emphasizes their commitment to creating genuine spaces for dialogue, support and action. Some initiatives include Coffee Chats on campus and mental health check-ins during finals week.
“Katie and I are just so thankful and grateful again that students still believe in
ECU Student arrested for online threats
A student at East Carolina University has been charged with the felony of communicating threats of mass violence on educational property.
19-year-old Abigail Buck was in her second semester and lived on campus in Greene Resident Hall at the time of the threat. However, she was not on campus when the threat was made.
An arrest warrant provided to WITN states that Buck was arrested after she posted on Snapchat on Sunday, “I’m about to shoot this entire f***ing school.” The FBI notified the university police about the threat. Police were able to quickly identify Buck and place her in custody.
In a quote provided to WITN by Deputy Chief Chris Sutton, " It is imperative that students understand that statements made, indicating ANY violent intent, are taken seriously, and investigated thoroughly. If validity to the statement can be determined, we will take the appropriate legal actions to include arrests. In today’s climate, we are unable to respond in any other way."
Buck’s felony bond was set at $10,000, which was later posted.
The game began on a layup from none other than RJ Felton. The two teams proceeded to trade baskets and the lead consistently throughout the first half. The half ended on a 4-0 run for the 49ers and the teams were tied at 27 through the break.
The Pirates came out firing in the second half, after an opening basket from UNCC, the Pirates ripped off a 7-0 run. ECU continued to build their lead throughout the second half and even led by as much as 12 points.
With one minute left in the ball game the Pirates were up
eight points. The 49ers then went on to hit two threes and cut the ECU lead to two points. After a missed shot from Felton with under 10 seconds left, UNCC got one last chance to win the ball game, but they missed the three point shot for the win giving the Pirates the 78-76 win.
The Pirates will be back in action Thursday March, 6 at 7 p.m. ECU will be playing Tulane University (17-12, 11-5 AAC) at Minges Coliseum. Tickets are for sale for five dollars a piece with the game being broadcasted on ESPN+.
CONTRIBUTED BY KATIE COUNCIL
Katie Council (vice president) and Daniel Walker (president) have won the 2025 Student Government election representing Ticket 1.
COURTESY OF ECU PIRATES
19-year-old Abigail Buck was arrested for an online threat.
BRIEFS
PCC and ECU to host FAFSA Completion Event
Pitt Community College, East Carolina University and Pitt County Schools are teaming up to host a FAFSA completion event on Saturday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. at PCC’s Craig F Goess Student Center, Computer Lab in room 178.
The event offers free assistance with the FAFSA completion process, which will help ensure students get the financial aid they need. To keep attendees energized, Travelin 'Tom's Coffee Truck will also be on site serving a variety of coffee and specialty drinks throughout the event. For more information, you can contact PCCFA@email.pittcc.edu or call 252-493-7339.
Sonrie Clinic brings smiles to Hispanic community
The East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine hosted its fifth annual Sonrie Clinic on Feb. 15, which provided free dental care to 47 Hispanic community members in eastern North Carolina. The event was organized by the school's Hispanic Student Dental Association, which saw its largest turnout yet with 75 volunteers, including students, faculty, and translators.
The clinic was sponsored by the North Carolina Dental Society Foundation and addressed the language and financial barriers in dental care. The clinic continues to impact the expanding access to oral healthcare and strengthening the community.
CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS
New medical program introduced to ECU
TEC STAFF
A new medical program has been introduced at East Carolina University, aimed at responding to 911 calls on campus to provide faster emergency response times.
LaNika Wright, Associate Vice Chancellor of Well-being and the new Dean of Students, played a crucial role in getting this program approved. She explained that the program met all university requirements and, starting March 20, they will be dispatching responders to emergencies between Fifth Street and Charles Boulevard.
Dean Wright shared that Alex Fisher, a student at ECU, presented the idea to her in the fall of 2023. While other students had proposed similar ideas over her 20 years at ECU, Fisher’s proposal stood out due to its thorough planning. “When Alex presented this plan, my initial thought was, ‘Oh my goodness, this could actually work,’” she said.
As they began developing the program, Dean Wright helped navigate the process of securing approval from the necessary parties, including the university, various campus entities, Pitt County EMS, and Greenville Fire and Rescue.
Dean Wright emphasized that this program will not only improve emergency response times but will also offer educational opportunities such as training on using AEDs and CPR, enhancing health education across campus. Additionally, the program will provide medical support for ECU sporting events, improving safety for athletes.
She also highlighted that the program benefits the students it employs. Since many of these students are aspiring to work in the medical field, the program offers them valuable hands-on experience, giving them a foothold in their chosen profession.
A challenge Dean Wright noted was the tendency of some to mistake the responders for students still learning to be EMTs. She had to clarify that the responders are fully qualified EMTs, having completed the same certification process as Greenville Fire and Rescue and Pitt County Rescue. “One of the biggest hurdles was just making sure everyone understood the skill they already possess,” she said.
Claire Williams, a sophomore double majoring in anthropology and criminal justice on the pre-med track, will be one of the EMTs for Campus EMS. She earned her EMT Basic
certification through Pitt Community College and is a certified North Carolina EMT.
Once dispatch begins, Williams and seven other EMTs will be on active duty from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Any calls outside these hours will be handled by Greenville Fire and Rescue.
“I think this will benefit students because they are speaking to people who are students and can kind of relate to them when they're going through a situation,” Williams said. She explained that it’s often more difficult to navigate a stressful situation when talking to an adult with whom you have little connection.
Williams noted that their preparations for dispatch have included skill training scenarios, practice driving the emergency vehicle, and ride-alongs with Greenville Fire and Rescue. “They’ve shown us the best ways to be efficient and get the most out of the few minutes you’re on scene,” she said.
Brandon Locklear, EMS Operations Captain for Greenville Fire and Rescue, shared that the initial ride-alongs began in April, giving the EMTs an opportunity to learn how the trucks are staffed, how equipment is organized, and how calls are handled in the field.
In addition to the ride-alongs, the EMTs also gained experience staffing ECU football games last fall. “In doing this, they could get exposure
and see how we operate,” Locklear said. Locklear emphasized that the training focused on following state-recognized EMT practices, interacting with patients, and conducting initial assessments. “Anytime they arrive at a scene with a first responder already present, it improves the outcome of the patient's care by starting the process early,” he said.
He pointed out that the biggest benefit of this program is its proximity to the calls. While Greenville Fire and Rescue can typically respond in five to seven minutes, Campus EMS can reach the scene in just one to two minutes.
“This will be life-saving in a true emergency where quick response time is crucial, such as in the case of cardiac arrest,” Locklear said. “In the case of a cardiac arrest, every minute counts because every minute without CPR decreases survivability by 10%.”
Locklear praised the EMTs for recognizing the importance of their role. “They see the opportunity and benefit to the campus and students, and the importance of having EMTs there to respond,” he said.
writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
If you feel there are any factual errors in this newspaper, please contact editor@theeastcarolinian.com. On Friday Feb. 27th, Dan Gerlach and another woman were charged in a death by vehicle case. The previous interim ECU chancellor will see his court date on March 4th according to WITN 7. According to WITN 7, The incident happened before 9:30 on Feb. 6th where Gerlach failed to yield to a motorcycle on Neuse Road in Newbern. This action resulted in the death of Ethan Murillo-Ceron, 18.
our vision for student government,” Walker said. “And we’re excited to get to work in April.”
Jenna Caputa, a speech & hearing sciences major at ECU, said she voted on the first day and appreciated how Walker and Council engaged with students on a personal level, rather than just from an office setting.
Caputa said she's more familiar with the VP candidate but believes the SGA president elect is highly goal oriented and driven, while the VP is sociable and excels at making personal connections.
“I know that as soon as they get into the office it's gonna be a bit harder for them,” Caputa said. “But I don't think they'll ever stop trying to hear the words of other students.”
Gerlach resigned at ECU in October 2019 after photos and videos surfaced of Gerlach drinking with students at an off campus bar. He served as interim chancellor from April 2019 to October 2019.
Javier Limon, former ECU SGA president for 2023-2024, said he closely followed this year's election and knew candidates from both tickets. He said the election was relatively quiet, with positive campaigning from both sides.
Limon said Walker and Council did an incredible job with their media outreach, noting their high quality productions. He said their efforts, including digital outreach and engaging directly with student organizations and clubs, helped them build a strong lead. “I can't stress enough how phenomenal Daniel and Katie are as people,” Limon said. “They have a brilliant work ethic and I know ECU as a whole is going to thrive under their leadership.”
CONTRIBUTED BY SARAYU ADALA
ECU undergraduate students on ECU EMS: Matthew Geib, Alex Fisher, Josie Smith, and Sarayu Adala.
COURTESY OF ECU NEWS
Dan Gerlach, who was a former ECU Interim Chancellor, was charged in a death by vehicle case.
Alexa Anderson
Staff Report
Gerlach
OUR VIEW
A presidency defined by transparency
We, the editorial staff of The East Carolinian, believe that one month into President Donald Trump’s second term, one thing is clear: he is not avoiding public scrutiny. Whether addressing the press, responding to critics, or defending his policies, Trump has been a constant presence, making sure Americans know where he stands.
This is a big shift from the previous administration. Former President Joe Biden was often criticized for not engaging much with the media. Reports showed that Biden held fewer press conferences and interviews than any president in decades. At one point in 2023, he went 150 days without a formal press briefing, raising concerns about transparency.
Trump’s direct approach has been praised by supporters who see him as someone willing to take on challenges head-on. Commentator David Marcus even described him as a “foreman,” actively leading the country through his decisions. But being open with the media isn’t the only thing that defines transparency. If Trump really wants to prove he’s committed to openness, his administration needs to do more like speeding up responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Under Biden, the backlog of FOIA requests piled up, reaching over 222,000 by late 2024. Making government records easier to access would go a long way in proving Trump’s dedication to transparency.
PIRATE RANTS
Thanks ECU grounds folks for waiting until we parked our cars arriving to work to blow off what was used in the parking lot for snow. Can’t imagine a better Thursday morning welcome than that stuff blown on our cars and inhaled while we walk to our jobs. Planning doesn’t get any better than that!!
To the ranter from last week who complained about ECU shutting down school for less than an inch of snow: ECU was one of the last major employers/education locations in the city to shut down for the snow for *non-mandatory* employees and students. The south is not equipped to deal with ice and snow like the north. Drivers don’t have chains to put on their tires and they’re also not used to driving in these conditions. The city even asked people not to travel if its wasn’t necessary. The University didn’t panic and is actually often late to the party when it comes to making weather-related decisions. I feel like even when I interact with people in my class, they don’t like me, I feel like the teacher doesn’t like me, I feel like I was told to take the wrong classes, why am I even here taking classes, it’s just draining the money I don’t have
The ecu transit shouldn’t start at 5 during the week picking students up. It should be available earlier hours starting at 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. And, we pay a lot of money for transportation. We should have more options than just the mall, Target, or Walmart. It should take us anywhere we want to go.
The rise of artificial intelligence or AI has opened up numerous opportunities for people, but what impact does it have on creativity and safety?
From schools to shopping malls, the use of AI has become more common than ever before, so it’s not surprising that it has found its way into many creative fields.
On one hand, the use of AI has undoubtedly benefited creators. For example, it’s a great tool for brainstorming, generating ideas and sometimes even helping to bring concepts to life.
On the other hand, it has made people lazy and, worse, led them to pass off AI-generated work as their own. This not only undermines creativity but also raises ethical concerns about originality.
Illustrators used to spend hours per-
fecting their work, with AI used mostly as assistance for tedious tasks. Now, anyone can claim to be an artist by simply writing a prompt and pressing a button.
These “artists,” who aren’t actually artists, can go viral and get more attention than those who actually put in the effort. This creates a mentality that anyone can be an artist, ultimately limiting opportunities and jobs for those who are passionate about their craft.
This mentality is dangerous because it doesn’t only affect artists. Recently, AI-generated art was used to sell viral mineral crystal cups. Many buyers, thinking it was real, ended up with a plastic-molded version instead.
There are actually real artisans out there who make these crystal-inspired cups, and they spend hours ensuring they’re perfect and worth the price. So this doesn’t only affect artists but also consumers.
Another example is in the music industry, where people are using AI to create songs. All that someone simply has to do is
provide a prompt and AI can generate an entire song, complete with lyrics and melody.
These AI-generated songs will even go viral, like on TikTok, where I’ve personally come across songs that I enjoyed and found catchy, only to later discover that they weren’t real songs.
But it doesn’t stop there, famous musicians’ voices are now being “stolen” by AI, allowing fans and other people to use their voice however they like. One type of music trend is AI generated covers, where famous musicians’ vocals are made to sing other artists’ songs.
While manipulation of public figures’ likeness and traits is nothing new, it becomes extremely problematic when it’s used for devious purposes, especially when everyday people are the target.
During high school, I believed that constantly keeping myself busy was benefiting me and my success in academics. I packed my days with tasks, convinced myself that the more I worked, the more accomplished I would feel. I began neglecting the time I needed for my well-being and taking exhaustion as a badge of honor. Looking back, I realize I was caught in the toxic cycle of “hustle culture”.
“Hustle culture” is the mindset that you must overwork yourself to be successful. It convinces people to believe that working long hours, minimal leisure time, and priori-
tizing career achievements over anything else are the only way to “make it”.
But what most people don’t know is slowing down can actually lead to greater success.
This way of working can quickly cause burnout and negative effects on your mental health like anxiety and stress. Thoughts of not doing anything– or not doing enough–envelops your brain. The importance of rest becomes an afterthought and taking time for yourself feels like a waste of valuable time. The longer someone lives with this work ethic, the harder it will get to make responsible decisions and think creatively.
If you are determined to accomplish a goal in your academics or career, how do you plan on getting it done when you have run out of steam? You will hit a dead end.
Terms used like “grind don’t stop” and
“no days off” in this culture can seriously impact your mental and physical health. As you are constantly on the move and working your brain, your body is begging for you to take a moment and let it rest. It doesn’t help that social media fuels this unrealistic expectation. Influencers and celebrities post “day in the lives”, showing a perfect routine with nonstop productivity. How are we to know that they aren’t curating the “perfect” day just for the camera? We don’t see the behind-the-scenes of exhaustion, breakdowns, and personal moments of their lives.
Carolinian
Giuliana Barberio TEC STAFF
Arts & Entertainment EVENTS
Annual Sheppard Memorial Library book sale
The Friends of Sheppard Memorial Library held the 34th Annual Used Book Sale from Thursday Feb. 27 through Sunday Mar. 2 at the Greenville Convention Center. Thursday was a Friends of SML only sale, where members got to come early and purchase books.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday sales were open to the public, Friday’s sale opened at 9 a.m. and closed at 8 p.m. Saturday’s opened at the same time and closed at 5 p.m. while Sunday’s opened at 12 p.m. and closed at 3:30 p.m.
Sunday is a day in which a lot of books are sold with visitors having the opportunity to buy a reusable bag for $2.00 and fill it with books for $5.00.
Jen Law is the President of the Friends of Sheppard’s Library and has been working at the sale, coordinating volunteers for 26 years.
Law says, “The main purpose is to raise money. But the other really great purpose is just to encourage reading and to get these books back out in the hands of people that want to read them.”
Books of all genres, including fiction and nonfiction, are on sale. Prices range as low as $0.50 for mass-market paperbacks and up to $15.00 for what they call “collectibles,” which are rare or very old books.
With such a big event spanning over three days, many volunteers are needed to keep this year’s book sale running smoothly.
Law says “about 90 volunteers” are needed, many of whom are Friends of SML and some who are “just people from the community who like to do it.”
Kay Galloway is one of those people from the community, it’s her first year as a volunteer at the sale she says one of her friends told her
about the opportunity to volunteer so she did.
Galloway says she likes volunteering because “I go to the library and get books myself, so I’m just kind of enjoying being able to support the library.”
Many people attended Thursday evening’s sale, many walking around with a couple books to buy and others like Martha Blackwald who had a bag full of books.
Blackwald says she has “been coming since the lockdown and all that, I come every year.”
The sale allows for used books to be put back into use instead of just throwing them away, with whatever is leftover being donated to different organizations across Greenville.
TOMORROW
Book Signing by Kathy Eliscu Emerge Gallery and Art Center
404 S. Evans St., Greenville, NC 27858
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM 252-551-6947
First Friday ArtWalk at AlleyCat Records Alley Cat Records 1011 Charles St., Greenville, NC 27858
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM 252-751-0590
First Friday Jazz Night with ‘The Jazz Teacher’ Kobie Watkins Sweet Aji 801 Dickinson Ave, Greenville, NC 27834
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM 252-227-4512
City Art Gallery: NC artists JJ Jiang and Joyce Stratton City Art Gallery
511 Red Banks Rd, Greenville, NC 27858
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 252-353-7000
SATURDAY
Thorn Live at Dirty Dan’s Dirty Dan’s 110 E 4th St, Greenville, NC 27858
10:30 PM to 11:59 PM
Magnolia Arts Center 2024 Theater Awards
Magnolia Arts Center 1703 E. 14th Street, Greenville, NC 27858
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM 1-888-622-3868
Specialty Workshop: Ceramic Reliquary
Emerge Gallery and Art Center
404 S. Evans St., Greenville, NC 27858
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM 252-551-6947
On Thursday, Feb. 27, ECU’s art department hosted the first Spring Studio Crawl in Jenkins Fine Arts Center. At the event, art majors from various concentrations showcased their talents and sold some of their work to the public. According to the School of Art & Design’s website, the purpose of the Studio crawl is to “allow the public to see the amazing work that happens behind closed doors in Jenkins and buy artwork directly from the students.”
With the Art Crawl being the first of its kind, many art students were excited about showcasing their talents to the public. An event like this is very important for artists, said senior
art major Brooke Connelly. “It’s a great way to start showcasing your work very earlier,” said Connelly.
A significant aspect of the art crawl is the artists’ showcasing not only their work but also the process of how they make their finished products. Each artist was at a table with either finished products or a product that they were working on. “People coming into our spaces get to get a better understanding and better respect for the work,” said Connelly.
Associate ceramics professor Jim Tisnado said that the art crawl is important because it attracts more attention to the art students who work hard on their creations. “What we do is important, but if we don’t show it out there in
the world, then it’s really not getting out there,” said Tisnado.
Freshman art major Emily Sexton said an event like the art crawl is important to bond with other art majors and to build a community with other art majors. “It’s really nice to meet other people and learn from them,” said Sexton. Another significant aspect of the Art Crawl is that the artists get to sell their work to the public. Emily Sexton stresses this importance, as it helps her further her passion for painting. “The Art Crawl helps me buy
Mark Roman TEC STAFF
Classifieds & Puzzles
Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Listen to the news. Adapt to plot twists and a shifting story. Gather information and prepare your response. Consider the situation from another perspective.
HOROSCOPES
Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Consider upcoming changes and financial impacts. Don’t rush into anything. Slow and easy does it. Discover silver linings under a cloud. Strategize to maximize.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Reconsider a personal dream, goal or ambition. Chaos, unmet expectations or thwarted intentions could be frustrating. Reassess options to discover hidden new doors.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Rest and recharge. Review the past. Consider future plans. Recharge with hot water, good food and soft music. Enjoy a great movie or story.
COMICS
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — A team effort requires your attention. Adapt to recent changes. Get expert advice. Take on extra responsibility temporarily. Support each other and pull together.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — A disruption at work could reveal another career direction. Consider the fun factor among others in sifting your options. Review, reassess and revise plans.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Slow down and consider where you’re going. Does this direction still take you to your objective? At a roadblock, another way might look brighter.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Listen to advice from elders and experts. Review your situation and determine your direction. Take stock and reassess your shared assets. Contribute for growth.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Discover a structural breakdown with your partner. Consider longterm dreams and goals. Come up with areas of shared commitment and passion. Refine your collaboration.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Something you try now doesn’t work. Don’t make assumptions. Get expert assistance. Slow down around chaos or change to adjust to new circumstances.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Proceed with caution. Things could get chaotic. Prioritize matters of the heart. Consider what you most want. How can you create more of that?
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Adjust to a shifting domestic situation. Structural breakdowns require attention. Make necessary repairs and upgrades. Save time and money through quick planning and action.
by Jacqueline E. Mathews
Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews
The East Carolinian Sports experts predict this week’s events
Caleb Johnson Sports Reporter
ECU VS. ASU
Score Prediction?
ECU 2-1
Why?
This weekend the Pirates are faced with their second biggest series of the season. Coming off a dominant win against an ACC team in Virginia Tech last weekend, the Pirates built some series momentum. The bullpen has been outstanding and is only going to improve as a few guys get healthy. The bat’s have continued to come around as the season progressed, so I believe the Pirates can go 2-1 through the series despite playing one of the top teams in the nation.
Cannon Gates WZMB Station Manager
ECU VS. ASU
Score Prediction?
ECU 2-1
Why?
Coming off a strange Keith-LeClair classic where we dropped to Kent state, who we all thought we’d beat, but then beat Indiana State and Virginia Tech, I’m not sure what to expect. I do think every game will be a nail biter and I think we can thrive in these pressure situations to win Friday and Saturday. I hope to see Antolick and Tower’s back this weekend as they could help a lot against a talented Coastal squad.
Nick Green
WZMB Sports & News Director
ECU VS. ASU
Score Prediction?
ECU 3-0
Why?
I’ve been saying it for a few weekends now, but I mean it this time. It’s time to make a statement against the sea chickens from Conway. Ranked number 24, the Pirates have an incredible opportunity to boost our RPI this weekend and I think we will take full advantage of that.
ECU finishes 2-1 in LeClair Classic
The 22nd annual Keith Leclair Classic took place in Greenville this weekend, and the East Carolina Pirates (5-6, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) went 2-1. After a bad loss to Kent State University (3-6, 0-0 Mid-American Conference), ECU was able to rebound and rattle off two wins in a row to give the Pirates some momentum heading into an important week of the season. Junior infielder Dixon Williams had a big weekend, racking up seven hits in ten at-bats and led his team to a share of the tournament title.
In game one, ECU sophomore pitcher Ethan Norby got the start against Kent State. Norby went six and two-thirds innings while striking out nine batters and giving up just four hits. Two of those strikeouts came in the first inning as the Golden Flashes went three up-three down.
The score remained 0-0 until the top of the fourth, when Kent State junior catcher Brody Williams doubled to left field to drive in a run. The Pirates wasted no time in responding, as a Dixon Williams walk led to sophomore infielder Colby Wallace hitting a double to put up ECU’s first run of the game. Wallace advanced to third on a groundout and was driven home by a sacrifice fly by graduate student designated hitter John Collins to give them the lead heading to the fifth.
East Carolina would tack on two more runs in the fifth inning thanks to a wild pitch and a sac-fly by Wallace to make it 4-1 Pirates. DIsaster struck in the seventh inning as Ethan Norby found himself in a jam with two outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd. Pirates head coach Cliff Godwin called in sophomore relief pitcher Brad Pruett to get them out of the inning.
Pruett then gave up a three-run home run that tied the game. The bleeding
continued as Kent State was able to get two more runners on base which called for another pitching change. Freshman relief pitcher Gabe Beschloss came in to try and keep the score tied. But once again, Kent State launched a ball to the Jungle to take a 7-4 lead.
In the bottom half of the seventh inning, ECU was able to push across two runs to make it a one run game. The Pirates last chance to score came in the bottom of the ninth when John Collins came to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. Collins then grounded into a double play to end the game 7-6.
In game two, the Pirates came out firing when they took on Indiana State University (5-6, 0-0 Missouri Valley Conference) taking an early 1-0 lead in the second inning. They tallied another in the third before an explosion in the fourth when the Pirates put up six runs. Collins went deep for a two run shot while Wallace and freshman first baseman Austin Irby also grabbed RBI’s.
The Tiger Invitational, hosted at Clemson University’s McWhorter Stadium from February 28 to March 2, featured a competitive pool of teams, including Clemson University (14-6, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), East Carolina University (11-7, 0-0 American Athletic Conference), Indiana University (12-5, 0-0 Big Ten Conference), and Lafayette College (0-12, 0-0 Patriot League Conference). Clemson put on a dominant performance with four wins, ECU went 2-2 on the weekend, Indiana also went 2-2, and Lafayette struggled to win a game.
ECU held an 8-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth when they tacked on two more to put themselves just one run away from a mercy rule, which ends the game in the 7th inning or later if a team is up by ten or more runs. In the bottom of the seventh, Irby hit a three-run home run to end the game early 13-1. Pirate freshman pitcher Sean Jenkins the star in this game, giving up just four hits on one run and racking up six strikeouts.
In the final game of the Leclair Classic, ECU took on a surging Virginia Tech Hokies (8-3, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) team in a crucial game that decided who would win the tournament. The Hokies came into the game having beat Indiana State and Kent State so a win against the Pirates would give them the solo title.
ECU decided to pitch a bullpen game, which worked out heavily in their favor. Freshman pitcher Lance Williams, junior pitcher Ethan Young, and Brad Pruett combined to give up one run on five hits and punch out 13 batters to help ECU triumph to gain their first win over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent on the year.
The scoring got started in the fifth inning when junior shortstop Alex Bouche went deep to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead. Virginia Tech would get their lone run the following inning but ECU would match them to make it 3-1. A three run 8th inning by the Pirates would make the final score 6-1 and end the Leclair Classic on a high note.
The Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers (10-2, 0-0 Sun Belt Conference) will come to Greenville to play a three game series at Clark-Leclair Stadium Friday-Sunday. All three games will be televised on ESPN+ for those not able to make it to the games.
Clemson made a statement throughout the tournament, hitting several milestones along the way. On February 28, they opened with an 11-3 win over Lafayette, marking their 200th program win. Senior infielder Maddie Moore had a standout performance, batting 4-for-4, while sophomore infielder Julia Knowler contributed a double and a home run, driving in five runs. Later that evening, they faced ECU and secured a 6-2 victory, extending their winning streak to nine games. Clemson kept rolling with an 11-5 win over Indiana, improving their overall record to 13-6. The Tigers closed out the weekend with a commanding 8-0 shutout of Indiana, capping off a strong showing in the tournament and going undefeated.
Tyler Buonocore
PHOEBE GREGG THE EAST CAROLINIAN
ECU Pirate at-bat against Indiana State University in Keith-LeClair classic.
PHOEBE GREGG THE EAST CAROLINIAN Pirate’s base runner goes to second after base hit by teammate.
PHOEBE GREGG THE EAST CAROLINIAN ECU Pirates sophomore catcher Walker Barron catches pitch.
PHOEBE GREGG | THE EAST CAROLINIAN Freshman pitcher Sean Jenkins on the mound.
COURTESY OF ECU PIRATES Pirate softball meet during the tiger invitational.