By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
GREENVILLE — For nearly the final two years of high school, Trent Whitehead had visions of playing for the East Carolina Pirates.
The dream is coming closer and closer to reality. Whitehead, a former standout at Washington High School who was the Daily News’ Hitter of the Year as a senior, joined his ECU teammates for the first day of fall practice Wednesday at Clark-LeClair Stadium.
The Pirates practiced for some two hours on a hot, sunny afternoon.
The speedy freshman outfielder, who said the toughest part has been waking up at 5 a.m. to work out, has been seeking advice from some of the veterans.
ECU head coach Billy Godwin, who led his club to a 40-23 record last year, has been impressed with what he’s seen out of Whitehead.
Godwin said Whitehead has a chance to play right away.
Senior pitcher T.J. Hose has proven time and time again that he’s one of ECU’s best players. Hose, an All-Conference USA performer last year, said it was good to be back on the field.
Hose has been named one of three captains this year. He’s joined in that capacity by catcher/third baseman Corey Kemp and infielder Drew Schieber.
Besides being a vocal leader, Hose wants to cap off his ECU career in style.
As his players trickled off the field and headed into the clubhouse, Godwin couldn’t help but smile.
The Pirates will wrap up their fall workouts with the Purple-Gold World Series in early October.