GREENVILLE — First-year East Carolina baseball head coach and former player Cliff Godwin hit a home run to help beat in-state rival North Carolina State, 9-3, on his senior night.

But that was 14 years ago and his days as a Pirate appear to have come full circle, as his ECU team (5-4) will square off against the Wolfpack (5-3) on Tuesday for the first time this season.

For the Pirate skipper, the memory of his home run only strengthens his feelings about the rivalry.

“It’s a very good memory,” he said. “It’s always a very hard-fought game and very competitive. Always.”

The Pirates, who swept Albany in three games over the weekend, will travel to Raleigh, home of the Wolfpack, looking to keep their momentum rolling. Their offense thrived over the weekend, outscoring Albany 24-7 and following a season opening sweep at the hands of Virginia, the Pirates are in need of a win over a quality squad.

When N.C. State welcomes ECU for the 6 p.m. matchup, it will be its final game before kicking off conference play. But Godwin isn’t too worried about the red and white clad overlooking his cast of Pirates.

“It’s a rivalry game,” he said. “For me to sit here and say us playing N.C. State doesn’t mean anything to the people in eastern North Carolina, I’d be lying to you.”

Last season, ECU and N.C. State met twice with each team winning on its own soil. In ECU’s half of the home-and-home series, the Pirates downed their rivals 7-0.

This season the Wolfpack have been somewhat untested and have a 9-6 loss to the very same Albany team that the Pirates swept. However, the Wolfpack are 3-0 so far at home this season.

Since he came in and earned two saves over the weekend, ECU pitcher Reid Love will more than likely not have a chance to start against N.C. State. With the senior righty being unavailable, Godwin will be forced to look elsewhere.

“We don’t know yet,” Godwin said of who will start the game. “There are a couple of guys on my mind, but we have to sit down and talk to [pitching coach Dan Roszel] about who’s most available.”

Even though he probably won’t get the call, Love should see some time in the outfield and be a key component in the back end of the bullpen. Having spent time as a starter last season, Love has shown the versatility to come in during any situation.

“He’s going to be a swing man for us,” Godwin said. “We really were looking forward to starting him on Tuesday but we had to use him [against Albany on Sunday]. He’ll start some but he’s a guy in the back of the bullpen that has the most experience and you want somebody back there that has that.”

No matter which pitcher the Pirates call on to the start the game, one thing is for certain; both teams are hoping to claim bragging rights.

“I’m looking forward to it because it’ll bring out the best competition on both sides,” Godwin said.