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ECU roundup: Sadler ready for Purple-Gold softball game
By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Kendall Sadler will likely be behind the plate when the East Carolina softball team wraps up its fall camp on Saturday.
Sadler, a former standout at Southside High School, transferred to ECU from Louisburg College. After putting up gaudy numbers for the Hurricanes, Sadler said the adjustment to Division I softball has been challenging.
“I’m really enjoying it,” Sadler said at the ECU Softball Field on a sweltering Thursday afternoon. “It’s definitely tougher than anything I’ve ever done. I’ve learned a lot. There’s a lot in detail that I had to adjust to, but I really love the girls and I love the team work.”
The Pirates, 40-20 overall and 14-9 in Conference USA play last year, will holds their Purple-Gold game Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Admission is free.
“We want to make it perfect,” assistant coach Natalie Kozlowski said. “We want our pitchers to shut down the hitters and we want our hitters to hit our pitchers. We’re looking for a healthy mix of both.
“Our whole goal is to win a championship this year. We need to practice like we’re a No. 1 team.”
The Pirates defeated UNC-Wilmington, Francis Marion and Charlotte while falling to North Carolina in games this fall. Head coach Tracey Kee, who will begin her 12th season, and Kozlowski saw some positives.
“We have a lot of depth,” Kozlowski said. “We have a lot of competitiveness going on and that’s what we’re most pleased about. We have depth at every position.”
Jessica Johnson returns with her big bat. She blasted 17 homers, drove in 53 runs and hit .357 last year as a sophomore. The home run total was the second most in a single-season in school history while the RBI total is the sixth most.
A handful of seniors return, including Beth Nolan, who had four homers, 19 RBIs and a .236 average. Noland said the Pirates have done well in camp.
“I think it’s going really well,” Nolan said. “Our team has learned a lot. It was good to get everybody out here and get everybody together.
“We’re meshing great. That’s a good thing about coming out here in the fall. You’re able to get all that team bonding in fast being out here four hours every day with each other.”
While Nolan has been used to the rigors of ECU’s practices, Sadler said it’s taken some getting used to this fall.
“Right from the beginning I had to learn to adjust to the conditioning,” Sadler said, moments before racing off to run laps. “I’ve never done any running such as we’re doing now. It’s really hard because they push you, and they’re going to push you hard. They’re going to push you until you can’t go any further.”
The whole camp has been a learning experience for the ECU junior.
“The things that I haven’t been taught before, I’m getting taught now,” Sadler said. “I’m kind of behind in a way, but I’m improving and making the adjustments like I should.”
Sadler, who played some outfield and third base earlier in camp before being used primarily as a catcher, is hoping she’ll show enough that she can earn plenty of playing time in the spring.
“I still have a lot of things to improve on, such as quality work behind the plate and at the bat,” Sadler said. “I’m really enjoying it and I’m really learning a lot from it. I’m hoping to go out there and just do my best.”
That’s what all the players are hoping for as they wrap up fall camp on Saturday.
“I hope we end on a positive note,” Nolan said. “I hope that we play like we have been playing and we keep our game up at a good level because we won’t be able to get back out here until January.”
Kass looking forward to friendly crowd
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Seeing his most significant action of the season, East Carolina sophomore quarterback Rob Kass helped lead the Pirates to victory in hostile territory. He’ll hope to do the same Saturday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Playing the whole second half, Kass completed 6-of-12 passes for 110 yards in a 37-35 win over the Houston Cougars, the defending Conference USA champions. That came on the heels of a 48-7 loss at West Virginia.
“It’s a big confidence builder,” Kass said. “All the guys were disappointed in the show that we put on at West Virginia. We wanted to bounce back and show that we were a better team than that.
“To go into the defending conference champion’s house and beat them in a close game, we really feel confident about it.”
Kass threw the first touchdown pass of his career in the win. He lofted a 34-yard strike to T.J. Lee in the third quarter.
“It felt amazing,” said Kass, who also had a career-long 46-yard completion to Jamar Bryant. “Without a doubt, it felt amazing. T.J. ran a crisp route, he got down the field and I just laid it out there for him. As soon as I threw it, I thought it had a chance. When T.J. came down with it, I was ecstatic.”
Kass will be looking for more of the same when the Pirates (2-3, 1-1) play host to the Central Florida Knights (3-1, 1-0) in a key C-USA battle Saturday. The Pirates will take over first place in the C-USA East with a victory.
Once again, Kass will split duties with junior quarterback Patrick Pinkney. Kass, who is 8-of-15 (53.3 percent) for 121 yards and a touchdown this season, believes the system works well.
“It makes us a better team,” Kass said. “It makes the defenses that we’re playing against have to prepare for not only myself, but Patrick Pinkney (as well).
“Florida had a lot of success with it last year with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. They had the running aspect and the passing aspect. We feel like we can do that, too. Patrick has great mobility and I’m more apt to sit in the pocket and throw the ball down the field.”
Like Kass himself, the ECU signal-caller said the team is getting more comfortable after a grueling schedule to start the season.
“Going through September, we knew this was going to be a true test for our team,” Kass said. “Going into two Top-10 atmospheres (Virginia Tech and West Virginia) and going into the defending conference champs (Houston), we knew that we’d learn a lot about ourselves.
“We learned a lot about our resiliency. We bounced back from a lot of tough situations. You can’t keep a good team down. I think this program is really building for the future. The only way that we can build for the future is to go into two Top-10 atmospheres and to come out a better team from it.”
After playing in those hostile environments, Kass is happy to have the chance to play in front of the home crowd. Saturday’s game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
“I just have to go out there confident,” Kass said. “Confidence comes through preparation. Obviously, the Pirate Nation is one of the greatest fan bases in all of college football. Having 40,000 at my back rather than having 30,000 against me in Houston is going to be a great advantage.
“I can’t wait until we drive down the field on the first drive and throw a touchdown pass or have a touchdown run and that Pirate student section goes absolutely nuts. It will be a great feeling for us.”
Local fans meet ECU’s McCarthy
BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
You know basketball season is right around the corner when Franks Pizza holds its annual Pirate Tip-off Party. The event drew a nice turnout as local fans came out to meet and greet East Carolina’s new coach Mack McCarthy as well as some players and staff members.
In front of a room full of purple and gold faithful, McCarthy guaranteed that his team will give its all on the hardwood.
“I want you to know that they will make you proud,” McCarthy said. “When you come out to the games you are going to be satisfied that the team is playing together and playing as hard as they can play. We will see how it goes after that, but we will promise you those two things.”
McCarthy also brought along his assistant coaches, as well as players Darrell Jenkins, Taylor Gagnon and Greyson Sargent.
Notably missing from the party was former assistant Chris Furguson, who recently jumped ship and joined the staff at Oklahoma State. While McCarthy and the Pirates do not have a replacement officially yet, the coach said East Carolina will name one before the first day of practice.
On Thursday, he introduced assistant coach Mike Perry and director of basketball operations Mark Thompson.
“When some recent changes took place we were able to add some quality people,” McCarthy said. “We basically have a new staff. Coach Perry played at the University of Richmond, and has been a head coach in Division One for five years ... He has coached with three Hall of Fame coaches: Dick Terrant at the University of Richmond, Dave Robbins at Virginia Union and Lefty Driesell who’s record speaks for its self.
“Mark Thompson is from Nashville and played for Stetson University ... He has been in a couple of different programs. He was at the University of South Carolina, he’s been a personal trainer and he has tried a few different things and wanted to get back into coaching ... He is an outstanding strength and condition coach.”
McCarthy wasn’t the only one to address the crow, he also let Jenkins, last year’s Conference USA’s leader in assists, speak to the fans.
“Last year was one of the tougher years I have encountered on the basketball court, and it was still special; even with the 6-24 mark” Jenkins said. “This year will definitely be a lot different. Not that I have anything bad to say about coach (Ricky) Stokes, because he is a great person, but the man standing to my left (McCarthy), coach Thompson and coach Perry ... I trust these coaches with everything I have.”
Aside from pledging his allegiance to the ECU coaching staff, Jenkins said the team expects to play a faster style of basketball.
“We are going to be a up-tempo team,” Jenkins said. “We are going to push it ever single time down the court, and it’s going to be a lot of fun. We have a great schedule and I think everybody is going to be proud of us this year.”
Highlighting the Pirates’ schedule this season will be games at home against George Mason (Dec. 2), Clemson (Dec. 5) and N.C. State Dec. 8). ECU will also play top-ranked Memphis on the road on Jan. 8.
McCarthy encourage fans to not only come out when the team faces top notch opponents, but also when it squares off against the lesser know squads.
McCarthy said the Pirates have talented players coming back on the roster.
“Last year’s big guys, John Fields and Gabe Blair are back,” McCarthy said. “Chad Wynn, who practiced with us last year is 6-10, 250, and has had a good year of growth and maturity. He has some real skills, especially on the offensive end. We also have a couple of smaller guys. Daquan Joyner is 6-7, about 215 and played football and basketball at Goldsboro, and Jamar Abrams, who when we signed was about 6-5, is now 6-6 and can also play inside and outside. We got a little more depth in the post position, and we can go small and big.”
The Pirates depth will be put to test on Nov. 11, when it plays its season opener at home against Limestone.
GREENVILLE — Kendall Sadler will likely be behind the plate when the East Carolina softball team wraps up its fall camp on Saturday.
Sadler, a former standout at Southside High School, transferred to ECU from Louisburg College. After putting up gaudy numbers for the Hurricanes, Sadler said the adjustment to Division I softball has been challenging.
“I’m really enjoying it,” Sadler said at the ECU Softball Field on a sweltering Thursday afternoon. “It’s definitely tougher than anything I’ve ever done. I’ve learned a lot. There’s a lot in detail that I had to adjust to, but I really love the girls and I love the team work.”
The Pirates, 40-20 overall and 14-9 in Conference USA play last year, will holds their Purple-Gold game Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Admission is free.
“We want to make it perfect,” assistant coach Natalie Kozlowski said. “We want our pitchers to shut down the hitters and we want our hitters to hit our pitchers. We’re looking for a healthy mix of both.
“Our whole goal is to win a championship this year. We need to practice like we’re a No. 1 team.”
The Pirates defeated UNC-Wilmington, Francis Marion and Charlotte while falling to North Carolina in games this fall. Head coach Tracey Kee, who will begin her 12th season, and Kozlowski saw some positives.
“We have a lot of depth,” Kozlowski said. “We have a lot of competitiveness going on and that’s what we’re most pleased about. We have depth at every position.”
Jessica Johnson returns with her big bat. She blasted 17 homers, drove in 53 runs and hit .357 last year as a sophomore. The home run total was the second most in a single-season in school history while the RBI total is the sixth most.
A handful of seniors return, including Beth Nolan, who had four homers, 19 RBIs and a .236 average. Noland said the Pirates have done well in camp.
“I think it’s going really well,” Nolan said. “Our team has learned a lot. It was good to get everybody out here and get everybody together.
“We’re meshing great. That’s a good thing about coming out here in the fall. You’re able to get all that team bonding in fast being out here four hours every day with each other.”
While Nolan has been used to the rigors of ECU’s practices, Sadler said it’s taken some getting used to this fall.
“Right from the beginning I had to learn to adjust to the conditioning,” Sadler said, moments before racing off to run laps. “I’ve never done any running such as we’re doing now. It’s really hard because they push you, and they’re going to push you hard. They’re going to push you until you can’t go any further.”
The whole camp has been a learning experience for the ECU junior.
“The things that I haven’t been taught before, I’m getting taught now,” Sadler said. “I’m kind of behind in a way, but I’m improving and making the adjustments like I should.”
Sadler, who played some outfield and third base earlier in camp before being used primarily as a catcher, is hoping she’ll show enough that she can earn plenty of playing time in the spring.
“I still have a lot of things to improve on, such as quality work behind the plate and at the bat,” Sadler said. “I’m really enjoying it and I’m really learning a lot from it. I’m hoping to go out there and just do my best.”
That’s what all the players are hoping for as they wrap up fall camp on Saturday.
“I hope we end on a positive note,” Nolan said. “I hope that we play like we have been playing and we keep our game up at a good level because we won’t be able to get back out here until January.”
Kass looking forward to friendly crowd
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — Seeing his most significant action of the season, East Carolina sophomore quarterback Rob Kass helped lead the Pirates to victory in hostile territory. He’ll hope to do the same Saturday at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
Playing the whole second half, Kass completed 6-of-12 passes for 110 yards in a 37-35 win over the Houston Cougars, the defending Conference USA champions. That came on the heels of a 48-7 loss at West Virginia.
“It’s a big confidence builder,” Kass said. “All the guys were disappointed in the show that we put on at West Virginia. We wanted to bounce back and show that we were a better team than that.
“To go into the defending conference champion’s house and beat them in a close game, we really feel confident about it.”
Kass threw the first touchdown pass of his career in the win. He lofted a 34-yard strike to T.J. Lee in the third quarter.
“It felt amazing,” said Kass, who also had a career-long 46-yard completion to Jamar Bryant. “Without a doubt, it felt amazing. T.J. ran a crisp route, he got down the field and I just laid it out there for him. As soon as I threw it, I thought it had a chance. When T.J. came down with it, I was ecstatic.”
Kass will be looking for more of the same when the Pirates (2-3, 1-1) play host to the Central Florida Knights (3-1, 1-0) in a key C-USA battle Saturday. The Pirates will take over first place in the C-USA East with a victory.
Once again, Kass will split duties with junior quarterback Patrick Pinkney. Kass, who is 8-of-15 (53.3 percent) for 121 yards and a touchdown this season, believes the system works well.
“It makes us a better team,” Kass said. “It makes the defenses that we’re playing against have to prepare for not only myself, but Patrick Pinkney (as well).
“Florida had a lot of success with it last year with Chris Leak and Tim Tebow. They had the running aspect and the passing aspect. We feel like we can do that, too. Patrick has great mobility and I’m more apt to sit in the pocket and throw the ball down the field.”
Like Kass himself, the ECU signal-caller said the team is getting more comfortable after a grueling schedule to start the season.
“Going through September, we knew this was going to be a true test for our team,” Kass said. “Going into two Top-10 atmospheres (Virginia Tech and West Virginia) and going into the defending conference champs (Houston), we knew that we’d learn a lot about ourselves.
“We learned a lot about our resiliency. We bounced back from a lot of tough situations. You can’t keep a good team down. I think this program is really building for the future. The only way that we can build for the future is to go into two Top-10 atmospheres and to come out a better team from it.”
After playing in those hostile environments, Kass is happy to have the chance to play in front of the home crowd. Saturday’s game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
“I just have to go out there confident,” Kass said. “Confidence comes through preparation. Obviously, the Pirate Nation is one of the greatest fan bases in all of college football. Having 40,000 at my back rather than having 30,000 against me in Houston is going to be a great advantage.
“I can’t wait until we drive down the field on the first drive and throw a touchdown pass or have a touchdown run and that Pirate student section goes absolutely nuts. It will be a great feeling for us.”
Local fans meet ECU’s McCarthy
BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
You know basketball season is right around the corner when Franks Pizza holds its annual Pirate Tip-off Party. The event drew a nice turnout as local fans came out to meet and greet East Carolina’s new coach Mack McCarthy as well as some players and staff members.
In front of a room full of purple and gold faithful, McCarthy guaranteed that his team will give its all on the hardwood.
“I want you to know that they will make you proud,” McCarthy said. “When you come out to the games you are going to be satisfied that the team is playing together and playing as hard as they can play. We will see how it goes after that, but we will promise you those two things.”
McCarthy also brought along his assistant coaches, as well as players Darrell Jenkins, Taylor Gagnon and Greyson Sargent.
Notably missing from the party was former assistant Chris Furguson, who recently jumped ship and joined the staff at Oklahoma State. While McCarthy and the Pirates do not have a replacement officially yet, the coach said East Carolina will name one before the first day of practice.
On Thursday, he introduced assistant coach Mike Perry and director of basketball operations Mark Thompson.
“When some recent changes took place we were able to add some quality people,” McCarthy said. “We basically have a new staff. Coach Perry played at the University of Richmond, and has been a head coach in Division One for five years ... He has coached with three Hall of Fame coaches: Dick Terrant at the University of Richmond, Dave Robbins at Virginia Union and Lefty Driesell who’s record speaks for its self.
“Mark Thompson is from Nashville and played for Stetson University ... He has been in a couple of different programs. He was at the University of South Carolina, he’s been a personal trainer and he has tried a few different things and wanted to get back into coaching ... He is an outstanding strength and condition coach.”
McCarthy wasn’t the only one to address the crow, he also let Jenkins, last year’s Conference USA’s leader in assists, speak to the fans.
“Last year was one of the tougher years I have encountered on the basketball court, and it was still special; even with the 6-24 mark” Jenkins said. “This year will definitely be a lot different. Not that I have anything bad to say about coach (Ricky) Stokes, because he is a great person, but the man standing to my left (McCarthy), coach Thompson and coach Perry ... I trust these coaches with everything I have.”
Aside from pledging his allegiance to the ECU coaching staff, Jenkins said the team expects to play a faster style of basketball.
“We are going to be a up-tempo team,” Jenkins said. “We are going to push it ever single time down the court, and it’s going to be a lot of fun. We have a great schedule and I think everybody is going to be proud of us this year.”
Highlighting the Pirates’ schedule this season will be games at home against George Mason (Dec. 2), Clemson (Dec. 5) and N.C. State Dec. 8). ECU will also play top-ranked Memphis on the road on Jan. 8.
McCarthy encourage fans to not only come out when the team faces top notch opponents, but also when it squares off against the lesser know squads.
McCarthy said the Pirates have talented players coming back on the roster.
“Last year’s big guys, John Fields and Gabe Blair are back,” McCarthy said. “Chad Wynn, who practiced with us last year is 6-10, 250, and has had a good year of growth and maturity. He has some real skills, especially on the offensive end. We also have a couple of smaller guys. Daquan Joyner is 6-7, about 215 and played football and basketball at Goldsboro, and Jamar Abrams, who when we signed was about 6-5, is now 6-6 and can also play inside and outside. We got a little more depth in the post position, and we can go small and big.”
The Pirates depth will be put to test on Nov. 11, when it plays its season opener at home against Limestone.
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