BASEBALL TAB: Pirates on pursuit

Preseason is complete and East Carolina, which could be equipped as well as it has been in a handful of years, begins a new baseball campaign today backed by a wave of momentum carried over from last spring and early summer.

Optimism comes after the Pirates won 40 games and the American Athletic Conference tournament in coach Cliff Godwin’s first season. Godwin was named AAC coach of the year and many of the main contributors are back, led by a veteran infield featuring catcher Travis Watkins, first baseman Bryce Harman and second/third baseman Charlie Yorgen.

There is also a full complement of 34 players — 17 returnees and 17 newcomers — heading into today’s first pitch at 4 p.m. against…