Troy Falls to ECU on Day Two of Keith LeClair Classic

Saturday, February 28

Greenville, N.C.

3:30 p.m.

Troy University

4-6

East Carolina

6-4-1

Troy

East Carolina

Troy Falls to ECU on Day Two of Keith LeClair Classic

2/28/2026 7:08:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Troy Baseball fell to host East Carolina 5-2 on Day Two of the Keith LeClair Classic.

The Trojans were outhit 11-6 by the Pirates, whose pitching staff racked up 13 strikeouts without issuing a walk. Starter Gavin Van Kempen struck out nine over 5.1 innings, allowing just one run, while right-hander Sean Jenkins picked up the save with four punchouts across 3.2 innings. Jenkins allowed one unearned run in the seventh, as Josh Pyne reached on a dropped third strike and scored on a Drew Nelson double down the left field line.

Aaron Piasecki, making his first career start in centerfield, briefly put Troy in front in the top of the third, homering on an eye-level fastball. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Pirates answered with three runs in the bottom half. Shortstop Matthew Lashley opened the frame with a solo shot to right, and ECU followed with three additional base hits to plate two more runs, including a two-out, two-run single that deflected off Thigpen into right field.

Troy starter Noah Thigpen went a season-high 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three. Thigpen was relieved by Zach Crotchfelt after a single and a sac bunt to start the sixth, as ECU third baseman Colby Wallace knocked in the inherited runner on a double.

Crotchfelt worked 2.2 innings, allowing one earned run that came on a two-out bloop double into shallow left-center - a pop-up that fell into no man's land just beyond the reach of shortstop Nolan Book, who nearly made a sliding grab.

Notables

Noah Thigpen went 5.1 innings, the longest start by a Trojan this season.
Aaron Piasecki started in centerfield for the first time in his career.
Piasecki's solo home run in the third inning was his second homer of the season.
Jimmy Janicki went 2-for-4. He leads the team with five multi-hit games this season.
Josh Pyne hit his second double of the season. His 60 career doubles are the second-most among active players in college baseball. Pyne also extended his hit streak to six games.
Drew Nelson hit his team-high fifth double of the season.

Quotable - Head Coach Skylar Meade
"They got four of their five runs with two outs, obviously in very interesting ways. That's a game that you're going to have to find a way to win. I thought Thigpen and Crotchfelt's compete were great - that's why they executed well."

"One more pitch for Thigpen in a zone that he wants, and I think he feels very different about the night."

Next Up
Troy wraps up the Keith LeClair Classic at 10 a.m. CT on Sunday against Rutgers. Left-hander Benjamin Stubbs will start for the Trojans, while the Scarlet Knights will turn to righty Chris Sand.