The East Carolina Pirates baseball team is an intercollegiate baseball team representing East Carolina University in NCAA Division I college baseball and participates as a full member of the American Conference. The Pirates have made regular appearances in the NCAA tournament. As of 2025, they have the most NCAA tournament appearances without a College World Series appearance.
The Pirates are coached by Cliff Godwin and play their home games at Clark-LeClair Stadium, named after donor and alumnus Bill Clark and former coach Keith LeClair. Every year, the Pirates host a baseball tournament in Greenville in honor of Coach LeClair called the Keith LeClair Classic.
Contents
History
Conference
1948–1962: North State
1963–1965: Independent
1966–1977: Southern Conference
1978–1981: Independent
1982–1985: ECAC South
1986–2001: Colonial Athletic Association
2002–2014: Conference USA
2015–present: American Conference
Head coaches
* 1943–1945 No Games Played
Stadium
Clark-LeClair Stadium is the home of Pirate baseball at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. The stadium was named after Pirate alumnus and key contributor Bill Clark and former Pirate skipper Keith LeClair.
The stadium has 3,000 Stadium bleacher seats, plus space for several thousand more spectators in "The Jungle". There are concession and restroom facilities at the stadium plus a family picnic area. Amenities include the Pirate Club fundraising and hospitality suite and a private suite for the LeClair family.
The stadium is home to the ECU Invitational and the Keith LeClair Classic.
Year-by-year results
NAIA tournament
In 1961, the Pirates won the NAIA World Series championship to claim their first national championship in baseball. The Pirates won 13–7 over the Sacramento State Hornets. Since then, the Pirates have yet to make it to a national championship.
NCAA tournament
The NCAA Division I baseball tournament started in 1947.
The format of the tournament has changed through the years.
Pirates in the Major Leagues
Over the 5-year tenure of current head coach Cliff Godwin, 14 Pirates have been drafted.
Since the MLB draft began in 1965, 3 Pirates have been selected in the first round: Pat Watkins was selected 32nd in 1993, Jeff Hoffman was selected 9th in 2014, and Trey Yesavage was selected 20th in 2024.
A total of 22 Pirates have gone on to play in the MLB, 4 of which are active players.