PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

86. EAST CAROLINA (33-26, did not qualify for NCAA post-season play).

Conference/Projected Finish: Conference USA/5^th (10-14, 6^th in 2006).

Coach: Billy Godwin (33-26, 1 year).

First Game: Feb. 9 vs. Liberty .

OVERVIEW: The Pirates bring back a bulk of their players, but must go without C Jake Smith (.344-13-65), their top hitter; 1B Adam Witter (.286-14-42), their home run leader; and LHP Brody Taylor (8-2, 3.12), their top winner—all lost to pro ball. Junior RHPs T.J. Hose (3-4, 3.88) and Shane Mathews (5-3, 4.73) will be the top arms in the rotation, while junior OF Harrison Eldridge (.336-2-26) and junior SS Dale Mollenhauer (.292-7-30) will be keys cogs on offense.

TOP PROSPECT/JUNIOR: Shane Mathews, rhp. Mathews was eligible for the draft a year ago as a sophomore after he was red-shirted in 2005, when he blew out his elbow and had Tommy John surgery. While his velocity was 91-94 mph, touching 96 just before the draft, he wasn’t drafted until the 26^th round by the Giants—prompting him to return for his junior year.

TOP FRESHMAN: Joe O’Malley, rhp. TOP SOPHOMORE: Ryan Wood, 2b. TOP SENIOR: Jake Dean, 3b.