Only a sophomore, Jeff Hoffman is ready to be the leader of the East Carolina baseball pitching staff, although he doesn’t really have much of a choice.

Hoffman and the rest of the Pirates were slated to begin preseason practice today, but the threat of inclement weather pushed their first outdoor session to Saturday. The biggest uncertainty surrounding the team is who will fill out the pitching spots behind Hoffman, who is expected to be the Friday starter after being mainly a midweek pitcher last season.

Head coach Billy Godwin and pitching coach Dan Roszel both said during media day Wednesday that the next few weeks — especially intrasquad scrimmages — should help determine roles, but Hoffman is almost certain to be the team’s season-opening starter against Virginia on Feb. 15.

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