By By BRIAN HAINES, Brian@wdnweb.com, Sports Writer
GREENVILLE — After finishing last season 33-27 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006, East Carolina’s quest to get back to the postseason will begin on Friday when the team hosts Youngstown state at 3 p.m. in the first of a three-game series.
This year’s Pirates team has lost some key bats from last year’s squad, most notably Kyle Roller (.324, 12 HR, 48 RBI) and Devin Harris (314, 13 HR, 53 RBI), but will look to compensate for the departed sluggers with an abundance of pitching and a steady lineup that features former Washington Pam Pack star Trent Whitehead at the top of the order.
The Pirates return a total of 21 players this season, with 13 of those players being pitchers. The key returnee is reigning Conference USA Pitcher of the Year Seth Maness. The senior was named to several preseason all-American teams after finishing up his 2010 campaign with a 10-3 record and a 4.17 ERA.
This year’s rotation has potential to play out a lot of different ways. While there is no doubt that Maness will be a key part of the rotation, when he pitches is still up for debate.
It is likely Maness will take the hill for the team’s season opener on Friday, but there has been speculation that ECU might throw him on Saturday’s, and let one of the team’s other aces pitch on Friday nights.
Competing for the prime time pitching roles will be junior lefty Kevin Brandt (3-7, 5.21), who was named a freshman all-American by Ping!Baseball in 2009; senior Zach Woods (8-4, 4.50), who was named the Conference USA Newcomer of the year last season; senior Brad Mincey (3-1, 5.83), who can throw out of the bullpen or start; and junior Michael Wright (2-2, 6.94), who also can be used as a relief pitcher.
Whoever does not get named to the Friday, Saturday, Sunday rotation will compete to be a mid-week starter along with freshman standout Austin Chrismon, whose fastball helped get him drafted out of high school in the 32 round by the Houston Astros.
If Maness starts the opener as expected, look for him to be followed up by Woods on Saturday and Wright Sunday. Wright has pieced together a solid preseason and may have pitched his way into the weekend rotation.
“We had a meeting back in December where we sat down as a coaching staff and said ‘Ok, based on what we saw this fall which are potential weekend starters? Michael Wright really wasn’t in the mix,” said Pirates coach Billy Godwin, who is entering his sixth year with the team. “But (his ability to compete for a spot in the rotation) wasn’t about what the other guys who were in position to be that weekend guy didn’t do, it was all about what he did.”
Looking to lock down potential wins for the Pirates’ aces will be senior reliever Seth Simmons, who ranks second on ECU’s all-time saves list with 20. Simmons will be joined in the bullpen by lefties Jake Harris (2-0, 4.84) and Patrick Somers (1-2, 11.25).
On the field, the Pirates lineup could be just as fluid as its pitching rotation. Godwin would not commit to a starting lineup on Wednesday, but the team released a projected starting lineup on media day that looked like this: Catcher: junior Zach Wright (returning starter); 1B: junior Corey Thompson (returning starter); SS: freshman Jack Reinhemer; 3B: freshman Drew Reynolds; LF: sophomore John Wooten (returning starter); CF: senior Trent Whitehead (returning starter); RF: sophomore Philip Clark (returning starter); DH: freshman Chase McDonald.
If that lineup holds true, ECU will start two true freshman on the left side of the infield, something that Godwin said he is not worried about.
“I’m excited for them … They have unbelievable ability. I don’t know what they are going to do till the lights come on but they have the ability to play this game at a high level, they have shown me that for the last seven months and that’s why they have a chance to be out there,” Godwin said. “Both are tremendous makeup kids. They have played at high levels and played in state championships … It doesn’t make me nervous because I’m not going to be nervous. I tell them that when I put your name in the lineup that means I have 100 percent confidence that you will get the job done.”
A lot of the returning starters played multiple positions last year and will likely do so this year.
“I think we have a chance to pitch and play defense,” Godwin said. “We have a chance to mix and match the lineups and that speaks to our depth and athleticism.”
The positions where the competition has been most heated is on the left side of the infield, along with the corner outfield spots.
“I think the biggest thing hinges on who will play third base, left and right field, and that can be interchangeable and John Wooten will be in all those mixes,” Godwin said. “One thing I know is that John Wooten will be in the lineup.”
East Carolina is definitely counting on Wooten to be presence in the middle of the order. Last season Wooten hit .311 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs. He and Wright, who hit .265 last season with 14 homers last year, are expected to provide the power.
“I like our experience combined with our youth, I think that’s a positive,” Godwin said. “I like this team. There is something about this team that I really like. Is it the best offensive club I have ever had? Probably not. Does it have a chance to be? Yea. I think we can be a good offensive club.”
Setting the table for those sluggers will be Whitehead and Thompson. Whitehead hit .331 last year and stole 15 bases while Thompson led the team with a .377 average.
“(When you look at the lineup) your not gonna see guys like a Kyle Roller or a Devin Harris, guys that have that physical presence,” Godwin said. “But you put John Wooten and Corey Thompson, Zach Wright and even Chase McDonald and they’re some pretty physical guys that are pretty potent. Everybody has been accustom to seeing Roller in the middle of that lineup but I can tell you that Chase is just as imposing in that batter’s box as Kyle was.”