Pirates Host Rutgers, Troy, and Western Carolina for the 23rd Annual Keith LeClair Classic

GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina Pirates baseball returns to Clark-LeClair Stadium this weekend to host one of the program's most meaningful traditions – the annual Keith LeClair Classic. The Pirates will welcome Rutgers, Troy, and Western Carolina for a three-day round-robin event that honors a coach whose impact still defines ECU baseball today.

The Keith LeClair Classic is played each season in remembrance of former Pirate head coach Keith LeClair, who led ECU from 1997 to 2002 and transformed the program into a national contender. During his five seasons in Greenville, LeClair compiled a 212–96–1 record, guided the Pirates to four straight NCAA Regional appearances, and captured multiple conference championships.

This year's field features a balanced lineup of opponents in Rutgers, Troy, and Western Carolina, with each team looking to build momentum early in the season. The Pirates will face each opponent once, with games spread across the weekend at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Outings for ECU

The Pirates come off a weekend, completely splitting the series with No.8 North Carolina at 1-1-1, gaining ECU's first tie since 2016. The Pirates were unable to hold on to game one at home, which ended in a run rule. But the Pirates took the lead in game two, blowing the Tar Heels out 10-3.

Grady Lenahan opened the game with a sharp double to left field and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Jack Herring brought him home with a hard-hit groundout through the left side. Lenahan was able to lead the Pirates, going 3-for-5 with 6 RBIs at the neutral site, and being just one single shy of a cycle. Jack Herring and Walker Barron also showed out, going 4-for-5 and 3-for-2 on the day. The Pirates totaled 15 hits, being able to score 10 out of 17 baserunners.

Sean Jenkins was the star of the weekend, coming out of relief. With his debut at Campbell, Jenkins went four scoreless innings and relieved Gavin Van Kempen after his 4.1 innings, keeping the Tar Heels to a minimum on Saturday. Jenkins finished the game, garnering the win with seven strikeouts, only giving up one hit, and throwing no walks.

Before the LeClair Classic weekend, the Pirates made their way to Fayetteville to Segra Stadium to take on the College of Charleston for the first time since 2022. The Pirates, although with a tight game in the eighth, were able to come out victorious by one run in the bottom of the eighth. Matt Lashley was able to go 3-for-4 in his third start of the season, which was also the start of the rally in the eighth. Herring finished 2-for-4 with the entire Pirates lineup working with nothing but singles to gain all eight of their runs.

The Pirates have shown their strengths throughout the week and will enter the Keith LeClair Classic with two strong wins and all the momentum.

Due to weather, Friday's games have been adjusted.

Weekend Schedule (All Times ET)

Friday (Feb. 27):

3:00 p.m. - Western Carolina vs. Troy
45 minutes after the conclusion of the first game – Rutgers at East Carolina

Saturday (Feb. 28)

12:00 p.m. - Rutgers vs. Western Carolina
4:30 p.m. - Troy at East Carolina

Sunday (Mar. 1)

11:00 a.m. - Rutgers vs. Troy
3:30 p.m. - Western Carolina at East Carolina

About Rutgers

Rutgers Scarlet Knights baseball enters this weekend's action with a 4-3 record, highlighted by an early series win over the College of Charleston (2-1) and a competitive road showing at Virginia Tech (1-2). The Scarlet Knights have relied on timely hitting and a balanced pitching staff to stay near the .500 mark through the opening weeks.

About Troy

The Troy Trojans enter the LeClair Classic with a 4-4 overall record, having faced tough opponents such as No. 3 Mississippi State and No. 8 Georgia. Troy was able to overcome the Georgia Bulldogs, the top 10 team in the country, on Wednesday night, upsetting them by one run, 6-5. The Trojans are currently on a 2-game win streak and will kick off the first game of the LeClair Classic to take on Western Carolina.

About Western Carolina

Western Carolina is 6-2 overall this season, and has won the past two series it has hosted. The Catamounts swept George Washington on Opening Weekend and won the series against Bowling Green 2-1. WCU has been 1-1 on midweeks, being run-ruled by USC Upstate, shut out 0-17, and taking the win against Akron.