Uptown Greenville will come to life on Thursday, May 31, for a pop-up party as ECU prepares to host its first NCAA Baseball Regional since 2009.

The City of Greenville, ECU, Uptown Greenville, and the Greenville-Pitt County Convention and Visitors Bureau will host Batter Up'Town from 5-9 p.m. at the Five Points Plaza, located at the corner of Evans and Fifth Streets. The event is free and will include live entertainment by Spare Change, along with a variety of food trucks, beverages, and other family-friendly fun.

"We are thrilled to have the NCAA Baseball Regional returning to Greenville and Clark-LeClair Stadium," Greenville Mayor P.J. Connelly said. "We are also excited to be able to work with our local partners to offer this event, which will bring locals and visiting fans together for a celebration of their teams' accomplishments while also showcasing our vibrant center city."

ECU is hosting its first regional since defeating South Carolina to win the Greenville Regional in 2009. The Pirates are 43-16 this season and enter the postseason as the 12th overall national seed after winning the American Athletic Conference Tournament. The 2018 Greenville Regional begins Friday, June 1, with ECU playing in-state rival UNC-Wilmington at 7 p.m. Other participants in the Greenville regional include South Carolina and Ohio State.

"Pirate Baseball and the Greenville community have shared a remarkable and rewarding bond over many years," ECU Head Baseball Coach Cliff Godwin said. "Not only will this event be a fitting way to get the NCAA Regional off to an exciting start, it will allow everyone to experience the energy which continues to define our collective growth and success as a program and city. We remain thankful for the support and are grateful for the opportunity to begin our postseason journey at Clark-LeClair Stadium."