THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606090054
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 36 lines
A two-run outburst in the last inning carried Manteo High School to the Class 2A high school baseball state championship Saturday at Garner.
Manteo reached the state best-two-of-three showdown with East Davidson because of its pitchers.
But in the title game, when the pitching faltered, the hitters took over.
The Redskins scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to dump East Davidson, 9-8, in a wild come-from-behind victory which clinched the state title.
The victory gave Manteo its first baseball state championship since 1976.
The Redskins, who won the first game of the series against East Davidson Thursday night 11-5, swept the playoff, but it wasn't easy. East Davidson came within one strike of forcing a third game.
At one point, Manteo led 5-0 with ace Foye Minton on the mound. Minton had thrown a no-hitter and a one-hitter during the playoffs. But East Davidson, which knocked out nine hits, clawed back and led 8-7 going into the final frame.
In the top of the seventh, Matt Meekins, playing in his last game for Manteo, stood at the plate with runners on first and second with two outs. After two strikes, he hit a single to tie the game at 8-8. East Davidson intentionally walked cleanup hitter Gerald Crawford to load the bases. With two strikes, Ted Toler got a hit and the go-ahead run was scored.
In the bottom of the seventh, Meekins walked the opening batter, but retired the side without a blemish to seal the win.
Manteo (25-3) ended the season with an 18-game winning streak, not losing a game since dropping a 3-0 decision to Currituck County in a local Easter tournament.
Toler was named Most Valuable Player of the state championship series. by CNB