2024 College Top 25 Preview: No. 14 East Carolina
Image credit: Trey Yesavage (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images)
Last season: 47-19 (18-6 AAC), lost in Charlottesville Regional
Final ranking: No. 24
Coach (record at school): Cliff Godwin (351-170-1, nine seasons)
The good news: The Pirates return the vast majority of offensive production from last year, including their four leading hitters in Joey Berini (.318/.391/.416), Justin Wilcoxen (.318/.384/.538), Carter Cunningham (.317/.429/.522) and Jacob Starling (.311/.436/.506). On top of this experienced quartet, potential top 100 overall draft pick Jacob Jenkins-Cowart (.294/.354/.491) will be the focal point of the lineup. On the mound, ECU’s weekend rotation will include the one-two punch of imposing righthander Trey Yesavage (7-1, 2.61 ERA) and lefthander Zach Root (3-3, 5.53 ERA). Additionally, its best bullpen arm from last year Danny Beal (6-2, 2.70 ERA) is back, as well as Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman (4-2, 4.24 ERA) and Jake Hunter (4-2, 4.71 ERA). George Washington transfer Chris Kahler (4-3, 3.57 ERA) will also be in the mix to log plenty of innings. Blue chip freshman outfielder Bristol Carter has already carved out an everyday role and figures to be an impact player both offensively and defensively.
The bad news: There isn’t a whole lot of bad news in Greenville given the returning personnel from last year’s squad, but last season’s two leading home run hitters—Josh Moylan (15) and Alec Makarewicz (11)—are gone, as well as Lane Hoover (.299/.422/.355) and 6-foot-5 righthander Josh Grosz (4-2, 3.66 ERA). Outside of Yesavage, Grosz was the best pitcher on last year’s staff and Moylan had some of the most impressive power in the AAC. The loss of all three will certainly be felt, but especially the offensive guys. Those were three key pieces last year, and replacing that trio will not be an easy task.
Player to know: Luke Nowak, OF. Nowak last year was a second-team All-AAC selection after hitting .288/.398/.370 with nine doubles, three triples and a team-leading 20 stolen bases. He has more of a slash-and-dash approach and will seldom drive the ball over the fence, but he has a knack for taking the extra base and putting pressure on opposing defenses. Nowak’s plus speed translates well to left field, where he is a strong defender.
Path to Omaha: East Carolina last year made its fifth consecutive—and sixth in the last seven years—tournament appearance. However, after advancing to a super regional in both 2021 and 2022, the Pirates last season got eliminated in Charlottesville. They put up a fight, as they eliminated Oklahoma to advance to the regional final, but an 8-3 loss to host Virginia ended their season. Looking to 2024, the Pirates should be the class of the AAC and will once again be in contention to host a regional. Making the tournament has been no issue for ECU, but getting over the Omaha hump has. With a roster that is chock-full of both experience and talent, ECU is again poised to be playing well into June.
| Pos. | Name | Year | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | HR | RBI |
| C | Justin Wilcoxen | Sr. | .318 | .384 | .538 | 223 | 9 | 49 |
| 1B | Carter Cunningham | Sr. | .317 | .429 | .522 | 186 | 8 | 39 |
| 2B | Jacob Starling | Sr. | .311 | .436 | .506 | 241 | 10 | 52 |
| 3B | Dixon Williams | So. | .167 | .333 | .250 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | Joey Berini | Sr. | .318 | .391 | .416 | 214 | 4 | 35 |
| OF | Luke Nowak | Jr. | .288 | .398 | .370 | 184 | 0 | 33 |
| OF | Bristol Carter | Fr. | HS—Greensboro, N.C. | |||||
| OF | Jacob Jenkins-Cowart | Jr. | .294 | .354 | .491 | 214 | 9 | 45 |
| DH | Ryan McCrystal | Jr. | .232 | .256 | .341 | 82 | 1 | 13 |
| Pos. | Name | Class | W | L | ERA | IP | SO | SV |
| SP | Trey Yesavage | Jr. | 7 | 1 | 2.61 | 76 | 105 | 1 |
| SP | Zach Root | So. | 3 | 3 | 5.53 | 54 | 54 | 1 |
| SP | Jake Hunter | Jr. | 4 | 2 | 4.71 | 42 | 51 | 1 |
| RP | Danny Beal | Sr. | 6 | 2 | 2.70 | 53 | 65 | 3 |
| RP | Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman | Jr. | 4 | 2 | 4.24 | 51 | 49 | 2 |
| RP | Erik Ritchie | So. | 2 | 2 | 5.01 | 23 | 34 | 0 |
