ECU Pirates Softball and Little League World Series Take Stage in Greenville

News Summary

Greenville, N.C. is abuzz as the ECU Pirates prepare for their softball season after being ranked fourth in the American Athletic Conference. Meanwhile, the Little League Softball World Series returns, promising exciting games and a projected economic impact of $1.3 million for the area. Local teams, including Pitt County’s girls’ softball team, are set to make their mark. With the community coming together to celebrate youth sports, Greenville is gearing up for an unforgettable summer of softball.

Exciting Times for Greenville: Pirates Softball and Little League World Series Take Center Stage

Greenville, N.C. is buzzing with anticipation as the East Carolina University (ECU) Pirates gear up for another thrilling softball season. Recently, the American Athletic Conference unveiled its 2025 Preseason Softball Poll, revealing that the Pirates have been predicted to finish fourth among ten teams. This announcement comes hot on the heels of the Pirates’ successful run last season, where they boasted an impressive record of 38 wins and 19 losses.

Aiming for the Top

This year, fans will be keeping a close eye on key offensive stars like Morgan Johnson and Emma Jackson, who are expected to make significant contributions to ECU’s campaign. The team’s head coach, Shane Winkler, who is entering his fourth year at the helm, is eager to steer the Pirates toward elite status. With a tough schedule lined up, he believes this could be a watershed year for the program.

Looking ahead, it appears Wichita State has taken the top spot in the poll as the preseason favorite to win the conference, closely followed by Florida Atlantic and North Texas in second and third places, respectively. It’s shaping up to be a competitive season, and ECU is ready to challenge for higher ranks.

Little League Softball World Series Returns

Little League Softball World Series is all set to return for its fourth consecutive year, adding to the excitement in the community. Kicking off with an opening ceremony on Saturday, August 11, at 6:30 PM at Greenville Town Common, the event is going to be a celebration of young talent in softball.

Catching national attention, the championship game on August 11 at 3 PM will be broadcast live on ABC, ensuring that fans can watch every thrilling moment as teams compete for the ultimate prize. Starting from August 4, all the tournament games will be available for viewing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+, making it easier than ever for fans to catch their favorite teams in action.

Economic Boost for Greenville

$1.2 million. This year’s event is anticipated to see an increase, projecting an economic impact of $1.3 million. Local businesses are already gearing up for what promises to be a busy few weeks, as they prepare for the influx of families and fans visiting Greenville to support their young athletes.

Pitt County Takes the Field

Negros Occidental Little League from the Philippines on Sunday at 7 PM. Everyone is eager to see how the local team performs on this big stage.

A Community Celebration

The countdown is on, and whether you’re rooting for the Pirates or catching the Little League games, it’s going to be an incredible time in Greenville, N.C.!

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Additional Resources

• ESPN Press Room
• WITN
• WNCT
• Wikipedia: Little League Softball World Series
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball