I know a lot of N.C. State fans, which makes sense, considering I’m a student here and have lived in the Raleigh area for nearly a decade. But I also know a lot of East Carolina fans.

And the overwhelming majority of those ECU fans hate the Wolfpack with a passion — a passion most State fans don’t reciprocate — i.e., this past year’s football game. Most State fans I know direct their hatred toward the folks from Chapel Hill.

So, naturally, on my way to Doak Field yesterday I started thinking about the rowdy sea of purple and gold that would most likely be waiting. And judging by the rather large number of ECU fans pre-gaming it on the deck at East Village when I drove by, it felt like a safe assumption.

“[ECU fans] have always loved baseball … and they support them very, very well,” coach Elliott Avent said.

However, as I walked through the parking lot, I noticed a lot of Pirates holding up fingers trying to scalp tickets. And once I made it into the stadium it made sense why.

Of the 2,862 in attendance, those in red easily outnumbered those in purple or gold — something that hasn’t always held true for an ECU baseball game.

“Our fans have been great all year, but tonight was really great,” senior catcher Caleb Mangum said. “And it was great just to see so many students out. Before the game even started, the hill was full. And to see that, it really energizes you and makes you want to play better.”

The Pack fans didn’t only outnumber the Pirates fans, they matched their rowdiness as well. Specifically, when State starting pitcher Nate Karns left the game in the fifth down 2-0, the ECU fans serenaded the freshman with a PURPLE — GOLD chant only to be countered by Pack fans chanting WOLF — PACK.

“They were trying to see who could be the loudest,” junior closer Eryk McConnell said, who could easily hear the crowd from the dugout.

State fans even gave the Pirates some of their own medicine by loudly cheering when an ECU runner was called out for interference on a play at second base — a call those in purple visibly disagreed with.

But overall the atmosphere was perfect, and most of that credit goes to the Pack fans. It was warm, with a slight breeze, and every fan in the stadium was into the game — or at least it looked that way — even in the eighth when State was down 2-0.

Actually that’s when the fans in red made the most noise and lo and behold it sparked a comeback win.

“I got chill bumps coming across the field when the eighth inning was over,” Mangum said. “Because the place was just rocking and rolling.”

That’s what baseball’s all about and that’s what this rivalry should be about. Pack fans should redirect some of their plentiful dislike toward East Carolina and embrace this rivalry.

They were able to do it last night. Why not all the time? It will only improve the games — no matter the sport.

I mean, State fans hate Carolina fans for not caring about them, but then they do same thing to the ECU fans. I don’t blame them at all for despising the Pack.

I just think State fans owe them a little contempt in return, they’ve earned it.