By Staff
ECU Sports Information
GREENVILLE — Junior infielder Drew Schieber will wear East Carolina’s honorary No. 23 jersey during the 2008 season according to an announcement made by head coach Billy Godwin during the program’s annual “Meet The Pirates” fan session Saturday at the Murphy Center.
The No. 23 jersey, which was the number worn by the late ECU head coach Keith LeClair throughout his coaching and playing career, became an honorary number for the Pirate baseball program in 2003.
Schieber, a tri-captain for the 2008 Pirates, played in 55 games (45 starts), batted .301 with six home runs, 22 RBI, 33 runs scored and swiped 11-of-15 bases a year ago.
As a true freshman, the Blue Springs, Mo. native started 30-of-47 games played at either second or third base. He batted .245 with 24 hits, scored 20 runs, drove in nine and was a perfect 3-for-3 on the base paths.
This season, the two-year lettermen, is ECU’s top utility man and could see action at anyone of four positions in the infield (catcher, second, shortstop and third).
The number is awarded annually to a deserving player who best displays the hustle, determination and desire that made LeClair a great coach and player.
Schieber becomes the second junior to wear the No. 23 jersey and the sixth Pirate overall, following Ben Sanderson (2003), Jamie Paige (2004), Brian Cavanaugh (2005), Adam Witter (2006) and Chris Powell a year ago.
LeClair’s courageous battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, garnered support and admiration throughout the ECU community.
The Pirates will open the 2008 campaign on the road next Friday, Feb. 22 against the University of South Carolina. The first home series of the 2008 season in Lewis Field at Clark-LeClair Stadium starts Feb. 29 at 3 p.m. against Monmouth.