FORT MYERS, Fla.- Florida SouthWestern freshman Carter Cunningham will keep his eye patch for his next collegiate stop as he will be trading in his Buccaneer jersey for a Pirate jersey next season, signing with East Carolina University at a signing ceremony in Suncoast Credit Union Arena Thursday. 

Cunningham transferred in to FSW from Gardner-Webb University in August after one season with the Bulldogs.  During his rookie year at GWU he was named to the preseason Big South Freshman Watchlist.  He started all 16 games for the Bulldogs before it was cut short due to Covid-19.  He hit .268, clubbing four doubles and a home run while driving in nine.  He started his collegiate career with a bang, recording hits in each of the Bulldogs first seven games of the season, driving in seven and scoring four runs during the stretch. 

He heads to a tradition rich East Carolina program who has made four NCAA Tournament appearances in the past five seasons including a trip to Super Regionals in 2019.  The Pirates were off to another hot start in 2020 at 13-4 before it was derailed by Covid-19. 

Cunningham and the Bucs will take the field for the first time in 2021 on January 22^nd when FSW hosts the Marissa Gusto Memorial Tournament at City of Palms Park.