Weekend's outcome raises stakes

ECU's series win over Uconn paves way for run at AAC title

By Brian Bailey
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This was another winning weekend on the diamond at East Carolina in more ways than one.

The Pirates bounced back from a game one loss to Connecticut on Friday night to beat the Huskies twice in a row to take the series. It’s the second series win for the Pirates over UConn this year.

With the outcome the Pirates are still very much a part of the championship race in the American Athletic Conference with just two weekends to play.

East Carolina will head to Houston this weekend for a battle of first place teams. The Pirates and Cougars both stand at 11-7 with six games to go.

“Yeah, we're playing for a championship,” said first year Pirate coach Cliff Godwin. “I don't know, you guys have to tell me when the last time that happened. I'm proud of the guys because they have worked hard. They deserve to be in this moment.”

Godwin knew things didn’t look so good in the loss on Friday night. The team had a sloppy outing and lost to UConn 13-2.

“I thought they pressed on Friday night,” said Godwin. “But they gathered themselves after we got punched in the mouth a little bit and played well the rest of the weekend.”

This certainly isn’t the most talented Pirate team on record, but they do play hard. Among the ‘over-achievers’ was Sunday’s winning pitcher, Jacob Wolfe.

“It just shows how strong we are as a team,” said Wolfe. “We play as a team and we win as a team, that's just how it is. We just want to pick up this win and take it home and build on it.”

An "Exceptional" day

Sunday's other win for this East Carolina baseball team came later in the day when the Pirates hosted their annual game with the Exceptional Community Baseball League.

The ECBL is a baseball league for children and adults with special needs. Those needs come in all shapes and sizes. Personally, it’s been a privilege to work in the league for the past ten seasons.

“It’s the biggest day of the year for our players,” said ECBL president Gordon Darragh. “All of players really love getting out there and playing with the Pirates.”

Over the years the Pirate players have always welcomed the ECBL players with open arms. I truly think they get just as much or more out of the day then 'Exceptional' players do.

“These kids deserve it because some of these kids don’t have the same opportunities that we have and it’s big time,” said ECU first baseman Bryce Harman. “This is the second year that I have had the chance to do this and it’s a great time. The kids deserve it!”

Godwin agreed and had a smile on his face all afternoon.

“It’s really cool for our guys to give back,” said Godwin. “To see them up there helping them hit and watching our guys in the field. It just brings so much excitement to these kids to be able to come out on our baseball field and play around and hang out with our guys. Some of the people that were here last year remember our guys and it’s just neat to see.”

It’s hard not to get emotional when you watch the two worlds interact. None of these parents asked for children with special needs, but that’s the hand they were dealt. I have so much respect for each and every one of them. None of us will ever know what they go through on a day-to-day basis.

For one afternoon, though, everyone’s on the same stage.

To hear your name called in the big stadium has to be a tremendous thrill for everyone.

“I think it’s big to put everything in perspective,” said Godwin. “Look, our games our important, but it’s not life or death. We’re so blessed to be able to play this great game and our guys to be able to be fully healthy and be able to give back to the community and to help people out. It’s awesome.”

For the Exceptional Community Baseball League, it was also awesome.

BB

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