Pirates desperately need win against Phoenix

East Carolina travels to in-state rival Elon on Tuesday night

The first time these teams met, East Carolina captured a dominating 8-0 victory at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

However, the Pirates (27-21) and Phoenix (34-18) have had their seasons go in different directions since that March 30 th meeting.

ECU, which has lost four straight and 9 of 12, is in serious danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for only the second time in the last 12 years.

The Pirates, who were expected by many to at least return to the Super Regionals and possibly punch their first ticket to Omaha, have been poor on the mound—particularly of late—and even worse in the field. The team ERA has skyrocketed to 5.14 and opponents are hitting .284. ECU is fielding a miserable .951.

Corey Thompson continues to lead the team with his .386 mark at the plate. He has six home runs and also has a club-high 48 RBI. Kyle Roller is second on the team in average (.361) and home runs (10) while ranking third with 43 runs batted in.

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Meanwhile, the Phoenix have won four in a row and eight of its last ten. Elon swept Southern Conference foe Appalachian State over the weekend after winning 9-2 at UNC-Wilmington last Wednesday.

The Pirates are scheduled to start freshman right-hander Joseph Hughes (1-1, 7.36 ERA) while Elon will go with righty Jared Kernodle (6-2, 5.34 ERA).