Tennessee LHP Luke Payne Transfers to ECU, Bolsters Pirate Pitching Staff
Photo Credit: Tennesse Sport Information
East Carolina continues to retool its pitching staff through the transfer portal, securing a commitment from Tennessee left-hander Luke Payne, who will join the Pirates for the 2025 season.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound southpaw spent the past two seasons with the nationally ranked Volunteers, and while his time on the mound was limited, the results were impressive. In five appearances during the 2024 season, Payne did not allow a run, striking out five batters and giving up just one hit in 3.2 scoreless innings. His final outing came on April 15 against Bellarmine, where he tossed a clean inning with two strikeouts.
Payne brings two years of eligibility to ECU and arrives with a polished arsenal that includes a fastball in the 89–93 mph range, a plus changeup, and a developing slider. The left-hander gives ECU a rare matchup option with swing-and-miss stuff and the potential to grow into a larger role in pitching coach Austin Knight’s system.
Originally from Gallatin, Tennessee, Payne was a standout at Goodpasture Christian School, where he was ranked a Top 500 national recruit by Perfect Game. He missed his junior season due to UCL surgery in 2022 but bounced back in dominant fashion as a senior, tossing 17 innings without allowing an earned run. He was recruited by programs like LSU, Vanderbilt, and Auburn before ultimately signing with Tennessee.
Payne becomes the sixth pitcher ECU has landed via the transfer portal this cycle — and the first lefty in the group. He joins a strong group of right-handers in Frank Ciccone (Saint Joseph’s), Thomas Paxton (Belmont Abbey), Joseph Webb (Liberty), Gavin Van Kempen (West Virginia), and Gavin Marley (Lenoir-Rhyne). The Pirates have also added two position players through the portal: infielder Carlos Jacome (USF) and outfielder Jeffrey Sabater (Millersville).
With multiple key bullpen arms departing after 2024, Payne’s arrival gives the Pirates both experience and upside from the left side and another trusted option as ECU retools for another postseason run.