News Summary
East Carolina University has bolstered its baseball program with key transfers, including infielder Carlos Jacome and outfielder Jeff Sabater. Jacome, from South Florida, is looking forward to playing in a community known for its strong baseball support. Sabater, noted for his outstanding performance at Millersville University, brings impressive statistics to the team. ECU aims to leverage these new additions and strategic talent to improve their chances in the upcoming AAC tournament and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Greenville, NC – East Carolina University (ECU) has made a significant addition to its baseball program by acquiring Carlos Jacome, a former infielder from the University of South Florida, through the transfer portal as they shape their roster for the 2026 season. Jacome’s decision to join ECU comes after impressive seasons with South Florida and reflects his increasing interest in the Pirates’ successful baseball program.
Following ECU’s initial outreach via email, Jacome became intrigued by the opportunity presented to him. The program’s historical performance in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and recent successes played a pivotal role in his decision-making process. After being contacted by ECU’s associate head coach Jeff Palumbo and head coach Cliff Godwin, whom he felt were instrumental in solidifying ECU as his top choice, Jacome expressed excitement about the possibility of playing in what he describes as a “baseball-first town.” He planned a visit to Greenville to further explore the fit between him and the program.
In addition to Jacome, ECU is actively enhancing its projected 2026 roster through various transfer acquisitions. Another notable signing is Jeff Sabater, recognized as one of the top outfielders from Division II. Sabater recently committed to ECU as a graduate transfer after a stellar performance at Millersville University, where he recorded 96 stolen bases along with a .363 batting average and a .491 on-base percentage across two seasons. In 2024, he distinguished himself by successfully stealing 57 bases in 64 attempts, leading the NCAA in steals.
Sabater is expected to compete for the starting centerfield position, which was recently vacated by Ryley Johnson upon his graduation. Besides Sabater, ECU has secured commitments from pitcher Thomas Paxton and pitcher Joseph Webb via the transfer portal, indicating the Pirates’ robust strategy to build a strong team for the upcoming season.
ECU’s baseball program concluded its regular season with a record of 29-25 overall and 13-14 in AAC play. This performance earned them the No. 6 seed in the upcoming AAC tournament. ECU’s first match in the tournament is against the No. 3 seed USF, with USF ending the regular season at 29-23. The opening game for ECU is scheduled for late Tuesday night, and the team aims to secure an automatic NCAA Tournament bid by winning the conference tournament, a feat they have not accomplished since 2017.
Coach Godwin has emphasized the importance of consistent performance throughout the tournament to secure victory. The tournament operates under a double-elimination format, providing teams multiple chances to advance deeper into the competition. In preparation for this pivotal matchup, ECU strategically held back their top pitcher, Ethan Norby, during the regular season finale to ensure he is ready for the tournament opener. Throughout the regular season, Norby recorded a respectable 6-5 record with a 3.65 ERA over 74 innings of play.
On the opposing side, USF will feature their ace, Corey Braun, as the expected starter against ECU in the highly anticipated tournament opener. With both teams vying for a successful tournament run, fans will be closely watching to see how ECU’s new additions and strategic decisions will influence their chances at securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
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HERE Resources
East Carolina Baseball Team Overcomes Season Challenges
East Carolina’s NCAA Regional Hopes Dwindle After Losses
Additional Resources
- 247Sports: Carlos Jacome ECU Baseball Commitment
- USF Bulls: USF Baseball Falls to ECU
- 247Sports: ECU Baseball Adds Jeff Sabater
- Wikipedia: College Baseball
- Google Search: East Carolina Baseball
