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When nationally-ranked East Carolina opened play in the Greenville Regional on its home field, with 4,266 fans in attendance, coach Cliff Godwin gave the ball to his 6-3, 205-pound freshman from Mocksville – Carson Whisenhunt.

During the regular season and conference tournament, the Pirates were 11-1 when southpaw pitcher took the mound.

They made it 12-1 with an 8-5 win over Norfolk State on June 4. Whisenhunt, ECU’s No. 2 starter, did not dominate, but he pitched well enough to give his team a chance to rally for the win.

In four innings, he gave up six hits, three runs, walked one and struck out four. He left with ECU trailing 3-2. He wound up with a no-decision.

One day later, the Pirates (43-15) beat Charlotte in dramatic style, 7-5, to get one step closer to a regional title.

Whisenhunt, who did not pitch between April 10-May 8 because of arm soreness, has had a memorable season. His record is 6-1 over 12 starts, his ERA is 3.75 and opponents are hitting just .225 against him. In 57.2 innings, he’s allowed 48 hits, walked 19 and fanned 76.