GREENVILLE — It’s nearly a completely opposite build up to the East Carolina baseball team’s 2016 regional appearance versus last year’s trip.

The Pirates were riding high off an American Athletic Conference tournament win and the Pirates had an aura of swagger about them. The Pirates earned a No. 2 seed and a shot at taking down host team Miami did not seem out of reach. Two games later, the Pirates were back home and starting an off-season focused mainly on long-term conditioning.

It was the entire buzz after the elimination. Players looked sluggish in the batter’s box and the pitches didn’t have the same bite on them they had in previous weeks. ECU’s starter for this year’s (and last year’s) opening regional game said fatigue wouldn’t be an issue for him.

“It’s night and day between last year and this year,” Evan Kruczynski said Tuesday morning. “I was dragging my arm behind me at this point last year. This year, I’m as fresh as I’ve ever been and I’m just ready to get the start.”

ECU head coach Cliff Godwin added, “We are much fresher this year, that’s why I was so disappointed in the way we played (at the AAC tournament) down in Clearwater. Physically and mentally, we’re much fresher.”

Last Thursday was ECU’s last game with a 5-4 loss to Memphis. Since then, the Pirates have had a 12-hour bus ride from Clearwater, Florida to Greenville and four days of practice to prepare for the Charlottesville Regional.

ECU RBI leader Eric Tyler said the past few days have helped add to the chip on his shoulder after an 0-2 conference tournament appearance.

“We’ve been out here a week and every day is a little more hungry, a little more hungry to get out there and get back on the field and show that the conference tournament wasn’t who we are,” Tyler said.

Senior outfielder Parker Lamm said this time of year is not about individualism, but more centered on the team focus. Lamm gave a run through of his injuries this season: a thumb injury he compared to that of shortstop Hunter Allen’s last year, a groin injury a few weeks later and a plethora of others.

The team captain and Wilson native made it clear that, despite what he is working through, he is ready to go.

“I’m feeling as good as I’m going to feel, I’ll tell you that,” Lamm said. “Right now, when you’ve got the playoffs, it doesn’t really matter how you feel. You go out and play for your teammates, play for the fans, play for the coaches. Health really isn’t an issue right now. You just have to go out and play.”

Senior Garrett Brooks is the lone senior with three years of experience at ECU. He was reflective in potentially his last Greenville media availability as a student-athlete.

“It’s bittersweet, but this is something I’ve dreamed about,” Brooks said. “Coming here and coming to a regional and being able to compete in the postseason. It’s not over yet so I try to take it one game at a time and one pitch at a time. All that is just in the back of my mind right now.”

The Pirates will start their regional Friday against Northeast Conference champions Bryant at 6 p.m. in Charlottesville.