GREENVILLE — When East Carolina returns to the diamond on Friday it will have a significantly different look than last year’s 33-25 squad.

For the first time in a decade, the Pirates have a new manager, as former player Cliff Godwin returned to lead his alma mater after spending time as an assistant with Ole Miss.

In addition to their new skipper, the Pirates will also be embarking on their first season in the newly joined American Athletic Conference — and according to the first-year head coach, the goals start and finish with conference success.

“Our goal is to win the American conference, host a regional, host a super regional and then get to Omaha,” Godwin said.

The Pirates have never been to Omaha, the home of the College World Series, and haven’t won a conference title since 2002 during their first season in the Conference USA. This season, the conference will more than likely go through defending AAC champion Houston, which capped off its 2014 season with a 44-15 record and spent time in the AP Top 10.

But even before the Pirates can have a shot at the conference crown, they have to make it through the non-conference part of their schedule. It is headlined by two tournaments, the ECU-hosted Keith LeClair Classic and USA Baseball-Irish Classic.

Perhaps the biggest challenge will come on opening day when ECU kicks off its season against a familiar foe, the College World Series runner-up Virginia Cavaliers, with a chance to avenge last season’s sweep in Charlottesville on the line.

“I know where hungry and I know we want to beat everybody,” junior pitcher David Lucroy said. “But it’s going to be really awesome when we beat Virginia in the opening weekend.”

When the two teams met last season, the Pirates were lead by former coach Billy Godwin (no relation to Cliff Godwin) and had a pitching staff that consisted of a top-10 pick in Jeff Hoffman, as well as seasoned veterans like Ryan Williams and Drew Reynolds. They also had experience in their batting order with third baseman Zach Houchins, who finished with a .347 batting average.

This season, however, none of those players will trot out onto the field for opening day, as they all were either drafted or graduated this past offseason.

In addition to the loss of last season’s leaders, the Pirates will be without sophomore first baseman Bryce Harman and senior pitcher Reid Love on opening day. Love broke his hand in January and Harman was suspended for a violation of team rules.

Both players were seen as big parts to the team with Love leading the rotation and Harman being the lineup’s best power threat. Last season, Harman hit .244 with seven homeruns and 21 RBIs and Love recorded a 5-3 record and 40 strikeouts.

“It’s going to be a challenge [replacing them]” said catcher and first baseman Luke Lowry. “But we know we have guys that are going to step up and we’re confident in our staff and we’re going to pick each other up.”

Unlike last season, the Pirates will have the luxury of junior catcher Travis Watkins. Before suffering a season-ending elbow injury after just nine games, he hit .360 and was an anchor in the lineup. His presence alone is a big boost for the team.

“It’s a great asset to have a good catcher,” Godwin said. “If you have a bad catcher then you’re not going to win a lot of games and we’re lucky to not have that problem.”

Infielders Charlie Yorgen and Hunter Allen are also back for the Pirates. Allen, who was voted as the captain of the team, hit .308 while Yorgen hit .288 as a freshman just a season ago.

The Pirates open their season at home against Virginia for a three game series, including a Valentines Day matinee before hosting the 12th Annual Keith LeClair Classic on Feb. 20. Conference play begins on March 27 versus Memphis.