Conway Regional Predictions: A Pirate Fight to the Finish
After a rollercoaster regular season that had fans biting their nails and doubting what might come next, ECU flipped the script in Clearwater. The Pirates entered the AAC Tournament as a No. 6 seed and left as champions, clawing their way through four straight wins, including two gritty victories over USF and a nail-biter against Charlotte. That run didn’t just earn a trophy. It earned a shot at something bigger.
Now, ECU sets sail into the Conway Regional, hosted by Coastal Carolina. The field includes No. 2 seed Florida, No. 4 seed Fairfield, and, of course, the host Chanticleers. It’s a dangerous draw, with powerhouse talent, high-powered offenses, and postseason-tested programs. But if ECU has proven anything over the last week, it’s that they’re not scared of the moment.
Nobody wants the Pirates to win more than I do …
Let’s make one thing clear: nobody wants to see the Pirates in Omaha more than I do. ECU has never made it to the College World Series, despite 30+ NCAA tournament appearances. This program and this fanbase are long overdue. And after the resilience we just saw in Clearwater, you’d be crazy to count them out.
But let’s call it like it is, this regional is no cupcake.
The Field: Talent, Tradition, and Trouble
Coastal Carolina (1 seed, host):
Here’s the storyline everyone should know: the last time Coastal hosted a regional and got hot, they didn’t just make it to Omaha, they won the whole thing. That was in 2016, and they did it as a No. 2 seed. Now they’re back at home, riding momentum, and ready to remind the country they’re not just some mid-major darling. Conway will be loud, and the Chants are loaded.
Florida (2 seed):
The Gators might be the most dangerous No. 2 seed in the country. Sitting at 38-20 and coming out of the gauntlet that is the SEC, Florida has seen elite competition week in and week out. They’ve got depth on the mound, a lineup that can hit 1-through-9, and a postseason pedigree that speaks for itself. Colby Shelton, Bobby Boser, and Brody Donay, these guys can mash, and their rotation is legit. It’s the kind of roster built for June baseball.
Fairfield (4 seed):
Don’t sleep on the Stags. Fairfield rolls into Conway with a 39-17 record and one of the most dangerous lineups in the Northeast. Dean Ferrara (.381), Matthew Bucciero (.351), and Luke Nomura (.331) are just a few of the sticks that can do serious damage. They don’t see Florida or Coastal-caliber pitching every day, but they rake and that makes them a real threat.
What About the Pirates?
ECU comes into this regional with a chip on its shoulder and nothing to lose. The Pirates were left for dead three weeks ago. Now they’re one of the hottest teams in the field. Braden Burress is swinging like a man on a mission. Ryley Johnson continues to be a spark plug. And the pitching from Sean Jenkins to Jake Hunter to Ethan Norby stepped up in huge moments in Clearwater.
But it’s more than just talent. It’s a belief. It’s grit. Cliff Godwin has this group playing for each other, playing loose, and playing like every pitch could be their last. That mindset is dangerous. That mindset can win you regionals.
The Prediction
Let me be honest: this one’s going to take everything the Pirates have. They’ll open with Florida in what will likely be the most anticipated game of the regional and probably the one with the biggest implications. If ECU wins that one? All bets are off.
I’ve got the Pirates making a run. I’ve got them knocking off Fairfield or Coastal. I’ve got them forcing a winner-take-all game on Monday.
But I also have to be real. Florida has been battle-tested more, has more overall talent, and has more experience in this kind of setting.
I’ve got Florida winning the Conway Regional… but ECU is going to make them earn every bit of it.
Final Thoughts
This regional is going to be fun. It’s going to be emotional. And it’s going to show us who this ECU team really is. One thing’s for sure: nobody is counting out the Pirates anymore.
Omaha still waits. And this group might just have one more magical run in them