Norby Named on Preseason Golden Spikes Watchlist, Also Receiving Fourth All-American Honor
February 06, 2026 | Baseball
GREENVILLE, N.C. -Â Ethan Norby is making headlines once again, being named on the Preseason Golden Spikes Watchlist, released by USA Baseball on Friday afternoon. Norby also earned another Preseason All-America honor, being named to the First Team as a starting pitcher by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Â
Building on this recognition, the Golden Spikes Preseason Watchlist includes 55 players across high school and college baseball based on their performances from the previous year. The Golden Spikes Advisory Board will maintain the award's watch list on a release-by-release basis, allowing players to prove themselves into consideration for the award based on in-season performance.Â
Golden Spike Award dates to look out for:Â
April 2 – Midseason WatchlistÂ
May 14 – SemifinalistsÂ
June 10 – FinalistsÂ
June 29 – Winner Â
East Carolina Baseball has had four players under the direction of head coach Cliff Godwin make the Semi-Finals list for the Golden Spikes Award, but has never had a finalist. Connor Norby, notably Ethan's brother, made the Golden Spikes semi-finalist list in 2021, alongside Gavin Williams. The most recent players to be semi-finalists were in 2024, when Trey Yesavage and Carter Cummingham advanced to the list. Norby will have the chance to join these players and make Pirate history.Â
Norby has also received his fourth preseason All-American accolade from the NCBWA, earning First Team honors. He recently earned two Second Team All-American honors from Baseball America and Perfect Game, and was named First Team by D1Baseball. Â
The junior left-hander has been in the spotlight since starting at East Carolina, and the 2025 season was his most successful so far. He played a pivotal role in East Carolina's run to the American Conference Tournament title and their NCAA Regional berth. Entering postseason play, he ranked second in the conference and 10th nationally in total strikeouts. He was also among the nation's elite, ranking 19th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.41) and 27th in strikeouts per nine innings (11.90).Â
At the NCAA Conway Regional, Norby delivered a historic performance, securing ECU's first-ever win over No. 17 Florida in a postseason matchup. Facing the Gators for the first time since 1994, he dominated over 7.1 innings, allowing just six hits and recording 10 strikeouts to propel the Pirates to victory.Â
For the season, Norby compiled an 8–5 record across 18 appearances, including 14 starts. He logged 90.0 innings and paced the Pirates with 119 strikeouts, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history. Demonstrating consistent command, he issued only 22 walks and limited opposing hitters to a .215 batting average.Â
Â
Building on this recognition, the Golden Spikes Preseason Watchlist includes 55 players across high school and college baseball based on their performances from the previous year. The Golden Spikes Advisory Board will maintain the award's watch list on a release-by-release basis, allowing players to prove themselves into consideration for the award based on in-season performance.Â
Golden Spike Award dates to look out for:Â
April 2 – Midseason WatchlistÂ
May 14 – SemifinalistsÂ
June 10 – FinalistsÂ
June 29 – Winner Â
East Carolina Baseball has had four players under the direction of head coach Cliff Godwin make the Semi-Finals list for the Golden Spikes Award, but has never had a finalist. Connor Norby, notably Ethan's brother, made the Golden Spikes semi-finalist list in 2021, alongside Gavin Williams. The most recent players to be semi-finalists were in 2024, when Trey Yesavage and Carter Cummingham advanced to the list. Norby will have the chance to join these players and make Pirate history.Â
Norby has also received his fourth preseason All-American accolade from the NCBWA, earning First Team honors. He recently earned two Second Team All-American honors from Baseball America and Perfect Game, and was named First Team by D1Baseball. Â
The junior left-hander has been in the spotlight since starting at East Carolina, and the 2025 season was his most successful so far. He played a pivotal role in East Carolina's run to the American Conference Tournament title and their NCAA Regional berth. Entering postseason play, he ranked second in the conference and 10th nationally in total strikeouts. He was also among the nation's elite, ranking 19th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.41) and 27th in strikeouts per nine innings (11.90).Â
At the NCAA Conway Regional, Norby delivered a historic performance, securing ECU's first-ever win over No. 17 Florida in a postseason matchup. Facing the Gators for the first time since 1994, he dominated over 7.1 innings, allowing just six hits and recording 10 strikeouts to propel the Pirates to victory.Â
For the season, Norby compiled an 8–5 record across 18 appearances, including 14 starts. He logged 90.0 innings and paced the Pirates with 119 strikeouts, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history. Demonstrating consistent command, he issued only 22 walks and limited opposing hitters to a .215 batting average.Â
Â
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ Baseball11/18/25 Inside Pirate Athletics
Tuesday, November 18
10/28/25 Inside Pirate Athletics
Tuesday, October 28
ECU Baseball Breaks Ground for the Dick and Sarah Bennett Baseball Building.
Friday, September 05
ECU Baseball NCAA Selection Show
Monday, May 26
