THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605090219
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 33 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
THE RIVALRY between Manteo and Currituck County grows in strength every year, especially during baseball season. When the grass begins to turn green in the spring, it's time for the Knights and Redskins to clash.
The two teams were scheduled to meet for the third time this season last week. No matter the outcome of that game, Manteo has learned some lessons from the first two tilts.
Manteo lost to Currituck in the seventh inning in a local Easter tournament.
``The kids woke up after that,'' said Kenny Meekins, Manteo head coach. ``I felt like we were very undisciplined at the plate. We had a long talk after that game.''
A few weeks ago, Manteo turned the tables and rallied to beat Currituck 10-4. That win proved to the Manteo players that they could make up a deficit, Meekins said.
``The big game was when we came from behind against them,'' he said. ``We hadn't been in that situation before. We've had a lot more emotion since the win at Currituck. I really felt like the kids saw they could have emotion and battle from behind.''
Since that game, Manteo has done it again. Recently, the Redskins were tied 5-5 in the seventh at Roanoke Rapids. Foye Minton led off the inning with a double. Matt Meekins moved him to second with a fly-out. Gerald Crawford followed with a 400-foot homer, and Ted Toler made it back-to-back homers with his own blast.
The hitters have produced all season. Everyone in the starting lineup was hitting at least .300 except Meekins, who was at .288. Leading the way has been Joel Daniels at .400. The team has belted 12 homers, including three by Toler, Crawford and Jimmy Forrest.
``There's never a chance for a pitcher to rest,'' Meekins said of his offense. ``With most high school teams it starts dropping off a bit after about the fifth or sixth batter.
One of the most important ingredients for a successful high school program is to have at least two good pitchers. The Redskins have three live arms that could match anyone in the area.
Minton, a junior, is a finesse pitcher and leads the staff at 5-0. Meekins likes when Minton starts, because it allows Manteo to use its best defense.
``When it comes to a big game, I would go with Minton,'' he said. ``Toler would be at shortstop and Meekins would be at third for our best defense.''
Toler, a junior breaking ball pitcher who throws in the mid-80s, is 5-1. Meekins (5-2) has been described by his coach as a ``pure pitcher.'' He throws a quick slider, keeps the ball down and is usually somewhere in the mid-80s.
As of Tuesday, the Redskins were still undefeated in the Northeastern Conference and hoping for a conference title.
More important than the championship itself is the privilege that comes with it. If Manteo wins the conference, it would have home field advantage throughout the 2A state playoffs.
The Redskins' 2,000-seat park, newly remodeled in anticipation of the Babe Ruth World Series, has treated Manteo nicely: The Redskins have not lost a game there all season.
``You should see it. The infield is like carpet,'' Meekins gushed. ``It's a real comfort zone. When we're at home the kids are real confident there. Home field advantage would be big.'' by CNB