March 17, 2008

GREENVILLE, N.C. - On the heels of a series sweep over Rhode Island, the East Carolina baseball team found itself back in the national collegiate baseball rankings Monday afternoon garnering a No. 23 ranking by Baseball America and No. 26 by Collegiate Baseball.

The Pirates (13-4) have won 12 straight games including the Fifth Annual Keith LeClair Classic title, which included a win over then No. 15 Michigan. They have also picked up wins against Monmouth, ODU, VCU (sweep), Pittsburgh, Georgia Southern, Quinnipiac and Rhode Island (sweep).

During the current streak, ECU has outscored its opponents 120-53, batting .345, hit 16 home runs and stole 36-of-43 bases. On the mound, the Pirates sport a 3.55 ERA, has fanned 98 batters while walking just 38 and opposing hitters are batting .229.

ECU will continue its 13-game homestand this week when it welcomes Elon on Tuesday night before opening Conference USA play against Houston at Lewis Field inside Clark-LeClair Stadium.