Softball Begins Preparations For 2017 Campaign

2017 Softball Prospectus (PDF) | 2017 Schedule (PDF)

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Preparations for the 2017 campaign are underway in earnest for the East Carolina softball program as the Pirates held their first team practices this week in advance of opening up the season Feb. 10-12 at the Red and Black Showcase in Athens, Ga.

ECU notched a 23-31 overall record in head coach Courtney Oliver's debut season last year, upping its win total by seven from the previous season.

East Carolina returns three of its top four hitters from 2016, including junior infielder Karlie Smith who batted a team-best .323 as a sophomore and senior outfielder Ciara Ervin who hit .315 and led the team with seven home runs and a .577 slugging percentage last season.

In the circle, Lydia Ritchie returns for her senior year following a 2016 campaign during which she posted a 13-12 record with a 2.67 earned run average, 13 complete games, six complete game shutouts and 178 strikeouts. Ritchie is currently 10th on the program's career strikeout list.

A total of seven newcomers dot the 2017 roster, including NC State transfer first baseman Meredith Burroughs who recorded 13 home runs for the Wolfpack last season. She also started every game for the 2015 NC State squad that reached the program's first-ever NCAA Super Regional against Oregon.

The Pirates will play 26 games at the ECU Softball Stadium in 2017, including contests against North Carolina and NC State as well as a pair of tournaments (Pirate Clash and Pirate Invitational) and three American Athletic Conference series (Connecticut, Tulsa and UCF). East Carolina will also host the 2017 AAC Softball Championship which is scheduled for May 11-13.

Season tickets are currently on sale and can be ordered via the online ticket center through ECUPirates.com or by calling (252) 737-4500. Prices are as follows:

Chairback Upgrade – $80
Reserved Chairback with Seating Rights – $40
General Admission – $40
Faculty/Staff General Admission – $35

Players Mentioned

Meredith Burroughs

Ciara Ervin

Lydia Ritchie

Karlie Smith

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