News Summary
East Carolina University’s baseball team triumphed over the University of South Florida with a convincing 9-4 victory in their American Athletic Conference tournament debut. The Pirates showcased their offensive strength, leveraging 15 hits, including key contributions from Ryley Johnson and John Collins. Pitcher Ethan Norby led the mound efforts before being relieved by Ethan Young, who secured the win. Coach Cliff Godwin celebrated his milestone 427th career victory as the team looks to continue their momentum in the tournament against Charlotte.
Clearwater, Florida – East Carolina University’s baseball team kicked off the American Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament with an impressive 9-4 victory over the University of South Florida on May 21, 2025. The game, held at BayCare Ballpark, showcased the Pirates’ offensive prowess as they accumulated a total of 15 hits throughout the matchup.
Braden Burress set the tone early in the game, leading off with a single against USF’s all-conference pitcher, Corey Braun. The Pirates quickly established their dominance by scoring three runs in the first inning, which included a two-run double from Ryley Johnson and a successful squeeze bunt executed by Colby Wallace. By the end of the first, ECU was ahead 3-0. The Pirates continued to build on their lead, with a two-run homer from John Collins in the third inning that pushed the score to 5-0, and Burress added a solo home run in the fifth to make it 8-0.
Defensively, ECU’s Ethan Norby performed solidly on the mound, striking out six batters and retiring the first nine hitters he faced. However, Norby exited the game in the fifth inning due to fatigue, finishing with a total of seven strikeouts over 4.1 innings and allowing three earned runs. Ethan Young took over from Norby, escaping a bases-loaded situation and delivering a strong performance into the eighth inning, striking out four batters and allowing just one run and four hits. Young’s contribution improved his season record to 5-0.
Jake Hunter closed the game for the Pirates, handling the final 1.1 innings and adding two strikeouts to secure the victory. Overall, eight of the nine ECU starters managed to record at least one hit, further emphasizing the team’s offensive depth. Burress, in particular, stood out with a total of four hits, while Austin Irby contributed three hits to the effort.
Corey Braun, the pitcher for USF, had a challenging outing, allowing a season-high seven runs before being relieved. ECU’s head coach highlighted the effectiveness of the Pirates’ hitting strategy against Braun’s changeup, which played a crucial role in the game’s outcome.
This win marks a significant achievement for ECU coach Cliff Godwin, who earned his 427th career victory, tying the all-time program record previously held by Dr. Gary Overton. Godwin expressed his pride in the team’s preparedness and performance throughout the game.
With this impressive victory, East Carolina has set the stage for its next challenge, as they are scheduled to compete against second-seeded Charlotte in the winner’s bracket game on Thursday afternoon. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Pirates to see if they can continue their strong performance and make a significant run in the AAC tournament.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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UTSA Roadrunners Defeat ECU Pirates on Senior Day
UNT Softball Prepares for Crucial Series Against ECU
ECU Baseball Secures Key Win Against Rivals
East Carolina Baseball Team Prepares for Crucial Series Against USF
University of Georgia Claims No. 1 Spot in College Baseball Rankings
Wichita State Baseball Secures Vital Series Win Against East Carolina
East Carolina Pirates Lose Key Series Against Wichita State
NC State vs. ECU Baseball Game Canceled Due to Weather
Rockies End Losing Streak with Back-to-Back Wins
Additional Resources
- ECU Pirates: ECU Tops South Florida 9-4
- Wikipedia: American Athletic Conference Baseball
- ECU Pirates: Four Pirates Earn All-AAC Postseason Honors
- Google Search: East Carolina University Baseball
- Wichita State Shockers: Shockers Run Rule ECU
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- ECU Pirates: Top Seed East Carolina Staves Off Elimination
- Google News: Baseball AAC Tournament
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