Wednesday, March 4
Wilmington, N.C.
6:00 P.M.
East Carolina University
at
UNC Wilmington
Pirates Head to Wilmington Wednesday to Take on UNCW
March 04, 2026 | Baseball
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WILMINGTON, N.C. -Â Fresh off another competitive weekend hosting the annual LeClair Classic, East Carolina now turns its attention to a midweek road test, traveling to face UNCW Baseball on Wednesday in Wilmington. Â
While fighting the weather, the Pirates opened the weekend with a dominant start against Rutgers, running-rule the Big Ten opponent, 14-2. Austin Irby led the charge, batting 1.000 on the day, including his first home run of the season. ECU woke up their bats, but the pitching slammed the door. Ethan Norby won his first win of the season, going 5.2 innings with a total of 10 strikeouts, only giving up six hits. Â
Saturday's contest against Troy also ended in victory, with Gavin Van Kempen and Sean Jenkins receiving the save. The duo totaled 13 strikeouts on the night, giving up no walks. Matt Lashley was able to start the rally that put the Pirates up to a final tally of 5-2, hitting his first home run as a Pirate, with Irby, Colby Wallace, and Davin Whitaker all having productive bats ending in RBIs for ECU.Â
With the LeClair Classic coming to a close, Western Carolina was able to get the upper hand on the Pirates, shutting them down 2-0. ECU's six hits were no match for the Catamount's 10, with the Pirates leaving at least 7 on base. Â
With Western Carolina losing only one game to Rutgers, the Pirates and Catamounts both finished 2-1, sharing the LeClair Classic title.Â
As most of Pirate Nation is aware, the baseball program has been greatly affected by ALS, as former head coach and ECU Hall of Fame member Keith LeClair was diagnosed with the disease while coaching in 2001. The Pirates continue to follow the mission, vision, and characteristics that made Coach LeClair such a tremendous leader, father, friend, and coach.Â
LeClair passed away at the age of 40 on July 17, 2006, after a five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. He officially relinquished his coaching duties in June 2002, two weeks after leading the Pirates to their fourth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance before finishing with a 43-20-1 record. LeClair remained with the ECU Department of Athletics as a special assistant to the director of athletics until the time of his death.Â
To help ECU Baseball reach its goal, you can visit alsnc.org for more information and donate to the cause. Â
First pitch for the midweek in Wilmington is set for 6:00 p.m.Â
| Games 13: East Carolina at University of North Carolina Wilmington | |
| Coverage | March 4th: 6:00 p.m. \\\Â Live Stats Stream:Â FloSports Radio:Â 94.3 The Game (Dylan Johnson and Dr. Gary Overton) |
| Location: | Wilmington, N.C. | Brooks Field |
| Official Websites: | East Carolina | UNCW |
| Game Notes: | East Carolina | UNCW |
| Statistics: | East Carolina | UNCW |
| Baseball Central: | NCAA Baseball | College Scoreboard | Weekly Rankings | National Stat Leaders |
| Social Media: | ECUBaseball (X) | ecu_baseball (Instagram) | East Carolina Baseball (Facebook) |
WILMINGTON, N.C. -Â Fresh off another competitive weekend hosting the annual LeClair Classic, East Carolina now turns its attention to a midweek road test, traveling to face UNCW Baseball on Wednesday in Wilmington. Â
Keith LeClair Classic Wrap Up
The Pirates spent the weekend hosting the 23rd annual Keith LeClair Classic, an honorary series in memory of former Pirate head coach Keith LeClair, who helped transform ECU Baseball into the national contender it is today. Since the start of the LeClair Classic in 2004, the Pirates claimed their 16thLeClair Classic title, which they share with Western Carolina. ÂWhile fighting the weather, the Pirates opened the weekend with a dominant start against Rutgers, running-rule the Big Ten opponent, 14-2. Austin Irby led the charge, batting 1.000 on the day, including his first home run of the season. ECU woke up their bats, but the pitching slammed the door. Ethan Norby won his first win of the season, going 5.2 innings with a total of 10 strikeouts, only giving up six hits. Â
Saturday's contest against Troy also ended in victory, with Gavin Van Kempen and Sean Jenkins receiving the save. The duo totaled 13 strikeouts on the night, giving up no walks. Matt Lashley was able to start the rally that put the Pirates up to a final tally of 5-2, hitting his first home run as a Pirate, with Irby, Colby Wallace, and Davin Whitaker all having productive bats ending in RBIs for ECU.Â
With the LeClair Classic coming to a close, Western Carolina was able to get the upper hand on the Pirates, shutting them down 2-0. ECU's six hits were no match for the Catamount's 10, with the Pirates leaving at least 7 on base. Â
With Western Carolina losing only one game to Rutgers, the Pirates and Catamounts both finished 2-1, sharing the LeClair Classic title.Â
Mustache March
With the LeClair Classic finished up, Mustache March is just getting started. The Pirates will be growing mustaches throughout the month of March to help fight and strikeout ALS with a goal of raising $10,000.ÂAs most of Pirate Nation is aware, the baseball program has been greatly affected by ALS, as former head coach and ECU Hall of Fame member Keith LeClair was diagnosed with the disease while coaching in 2001. The Pirates continue to follow the mission, vision, and characteristics that made Coach LeClair such a tremendous leader, father, friend, and coach.Â
LeClair passed away at the age of 40 on July 17, 2006, after a five-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. He officially relinquished his coaching duties in June 2002, two weeks after leading the Pirates to their fourth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance before finishing with a 43-20-1 record. LeClair remained with the ECU Department of Athletics as a special assistant to the director of athletics until the time of his death.Â
To help ECU Baseball reach its goal, you can visit alsnc.org for more information and donate to the cause. Â
About UNCW
The University of North Carolina Wilmington has been a constant rival of the Pirates. The Seahawks are currently 7-5, having multiple competitive games, including being able to win their most recent series against UConn, 2-1. UNCW has played only one away midweek game, with the rest of its schedule so far on its home turf. Overall, ECU holds the edge with 35 wins against UNCW, for a total record of 35-25. The last time the Pirates faced the Seahawks was back in April 2025, when ECU topped UNCW in Greenville with a quick start in the first inning, scoring four runs and winning 7-3. ÂFirst pitch for the midweek in Wilmington is set for 6:00 p.m.Â
Due Up
After the Pirates take on UNCW, they will stay on the road for their highly anticipated weekend series against No. 16 Coastal Carolina in Conway. The last time the Pirates saw the Chants at the Conway Regional in 2025, Coastal left ECU just short of a Super Regional.Â
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