N.C. State travels to Greenville today to enter East Carolina’s “jungle” for the only away game in the three-game series between the two teams.
The “jungle” is ECU’s version of Avent’s Army and is located beyond the outfield wall at Clark-LeClair Stadium. The Pirate fans that watch the games from that section have earned quite a reputation via their spirited behavior and wild antics.
“They’re nuts,” senior center fielder Matt Camp said. “They like to give people a hard time in the outfield.”
With the fans producing a constant barrage of taunts and insults, some players consider themselves fortunate to be at an infield position.
“I’m lucky to be at second base,” sophomore second baseman Ramon Corona said. “I don’t get messed with too much but I can still hear them in the outfield yelling.”
Although some might view the fans as too rowdy, coach Elliott Avent is still excited for his team to have an opportunity to play in front of such an excited crowd.
“It’ll be great,” Avent said. “They support their team just like we support our team so it’ll be a great atmosphere for college baseball.”
Even though the rivalry between these two teams is evident, some players find it hard to compare it to the rivalry between the Pack and the Tar Heels.
“We only get to play these guys one game at a time so it’s a little bit different than an ACC series,” Camp said.
With the Pack having already defeated the Pirates once this season, they look to gain a second victory and added momentum heading into their weekend series against Maryland. With the Terrapins on the horizon, State has to give the ECU game a special consideration.
“You always have a plan for every game you go into,” Avent said. “As much as we would like to win every game, the series for us this weekend is much more paramount.”
State plans to send junior right-hander Gib Hobson to the mound. Hobson is 4-1 in seven starts this season and is second on the team in innings pitched with just more than 39.
While the Pirates have struggled at times this season, Camp said they are a much better team than they appear to be.
“They’re a lot better than their record,” Camp said. “They definitely want to try and take us out and see if they can help themselves get a postseason bid.”
The Pack also look to improve upon their slow start against ECU earlier this season. In the first match-up, the Pack had to come back from an early deficit to win 5-4.
“When we score first we’ve done a lot better than when we fall behind,” Corona said. “It’s important for us to get ahead early and just play the way we’re capable of playing.”