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View from the East Friday, February 15, 2013 By Al Myatt

Godwin, Pirates face weekend challenge

By Al Myatt
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East Carolina opens its 2013 baseball season at home at 3 p.m. this afternoon against Virginia, which is ranked No. 25 in the USA Today coaches poll. The Cavaliers are coming off a 39-19-1 season and lead the series with the Pirates, 21-10, after a 13-1 win in the 2011 NCAA Charlottesville regional.

ECU has reached the NCAA Tournament 26 times, including 12 of the last 14 seasons.

"Like every other year, we're certainly excited to get going," said Pirates coach Billy Godwin, who is entering his eighth season at ECU with a record of 253-162-1. "I think we have very, very good talent. Just because of inexperience and because we have some guys who haven't had success at this level doesn't mean they don't have the talent to play at this level, but there are going to be some ups and downs.

"I think the kids will be patient as we work them through it. I'm excited. I think we've got a good club and we're just anxious to get going."

Sophomore right-hander Jeff Hoffman, who was 3-2 as a freshman with a 3.67 earned run average, will start on the mound for the Pirates. Virginia will counter with a freshman lefty, Brandon Waddell, from Houston.

The season-opening set continues with games on Saturday at 2 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m. Ryan Williams, a right-handed transfer from West Valley (CA) College, is scheduled to go for ECU in game two and Godwin has given the nod to returning righty Andy Smithmyer (5-2, 1.92 ERA) for Sunday. Smithmyer made one start and 21 appearances out of the bullpen in 2012.

Happy Valentine's Birthday

The secretary in the East Carolina baseball office is named Valentine Howell-Melton. I spoke with her Thursday in the process of getting in touch with Coach Godwin.

The Pirates coach subsequently explained that she was named Valentine because she was born on Feb. 14.

A nice name, much better than the Seinfeld rerun I was watching recently in which the George Costanza character was pushing "Soda" and "Seven" as children's names.

Anyway, a happy belated birthday to Valentine.

I'm sure she's glad she wasn't born on Groundhog's Day.

No offense, Valentine. I couldn't resist.

Polk-ing Fun

I heard colorful former Mississippi State baseball coach Ron Polk, who is now helping the program at Alabama-Birmingham, speak recently.

Polk said he once tried to return a cell phone to an umpire but the ump denied ownership.

"Why did you think it was mine?" said the man in blue.

"Because it had a bunch of missed calls," Polk replied.

Spreading the word

Senior Jay Cannon, who continues to battle a hip injury after hitting .308 last season, will wear No. 23 this season in memory of former ECU coach Keith LeClair. Cannon was thrilled when the honor was announced but not in terms of personal ego gratification.

"It gives me another opportunity to share the good word," he said. "That's definitely what's gotten me to where I am now. This number gives me another outlet to share my faith and share Coach LeClair's faith. It gives me the opportunity to do the right things and be a role model for everybody in the community and, more importantly, to some younger guys who may not know what the number means yet.

"It's no added pressure. It's just another opportunity to keep doing the right things and to share my story, where I've come from to where I am now and, more importantly, to share Coach LeClair's story."

Cannon had only one program express interest in him coming out of high school at Harnett Central. He was trying to decide whether he should try to play at Brunswick Community College or just enroll as a student at N.C. State. His dad, John, encouraged him not to do something he might regret later so Cannon went to Brunswick.

"I had kind of a weird relationship with God and Jesus when I was in high school," Cannon said. "I would go so far as to say I didn't believe. When I got to college, I ran into a brick wall my freshman year at Brunswick Community College and was lucky enough to be around a man named Robbie Allen."

Allen, a former Clemson standout, is the baseball coach at Brunswick.

"I ended up failing a couple of classes and I was so lost in that whole transition," Cannon said. "It was a very defining moment in my life that drew me to Christ and to have a relationship with him. If it wasn't for Coach Allen, there's no way I would be where I am today. That man helped me out so much. He is one of the best Christians I've ever met. Any questions I had, I would go and talk to him.

"It literally took me going down the worst path possible for a human being to find out really why I'm here, why I'm able to play baseball. It showed me to help other people. That's what's gotten me here now is my faith and just continuing to grow in my faith and trust in the Lord that what he has in store for me is the best and it's the only route."

No doubt Coach LeClair would be happy that Cannon is wearing his number.

Godwin, who has regular Bible study with his coaching staff, said Cannon was the obvious choice this year even though he has spent just one previous season in the program.

After talking with Cannon, it's easy to understand why Coach Godwin designated him.

Ham and eggs

ECU football coach Ruffin McNeill talked about the difference between involvement and commitment in terms of a ham and eggs breakfast during his remarks on signing day last week.

"The hen was involved," Ruff said. "The pig was committed."

Numbers game

Southern Miss bounced back from an 89-76 home loss to Memphis on Saturday to defeat Tulane 71-60 on Wednesday night.

It was a similar pattern to East Carolina's response against Alabama-Birmingham on Wednesday night following a loss at Central Florida four nights earlier.

Pirates coach Jeff Lebo is impressed with the Golden Eagles' defense that ECU encounters at 5 p.m. at home on Saturday.

"Their zone is so quick and active, it's like they've got seven guys out there," Lebo said.

The ECU coach has been struggling with numbers in trying to emulate Southern Miss in practice. He said Corvonn Gaines, who was hurt in the 74-61 win over UAB, may be out for the season. Erin Straughn and Petar Torlak continue to be limited in terms of their ability to contribute in workouts as they recover from injuries.

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02/15/2013 04:27 AM
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