Impressive Opening Day for the Ocracoke Dolphins

Jen Buday

 

Spencer Gaskins winding up for the pitch
Spencer Gaskins winding up for the pitch
All photos by Valerie Spencer

 Play Ball!

These words are music to the ears of baseball fans everywhere, and they were heard last night for the first time in Ocracoke School history.

Despite their 13-3 loss against the Hatteras Hurricanes, fans and players alike were thrilled to be part of the landmark occasion.

Spectator Noel Goodwin said, "This is history being made, and I'm so happy to be here."

7th grader Carson O'Neal takes his turn at catching
7th grader Carson O'Neal takes his turn at catching

For those who couldn't make the trip to Hatteras, David Allewalt was on hand enthusiastically broadcasting the game live on 90.1 WOVV Ocracoke Community Radio. He even had the fans singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the bottom of the fourth.

7th grader Kyle Tillett had the first hit for the Dolphins. While lefty Colby Spencer scored the Dolphins’ first run, "it was most certainly a team effort to score each of our three runs," Coach Bill Cole clearly indicated.

All coaches were stirred by the effort put forth by all ten boys on the team. Simply put, "this was 10 people rooting for 10 people," said Coach Bill.

Last night, the Dolphin team stepped on a real diamond for the first time and had to "play big" said Coach John Kattenburg. “We had some missed opportunities, but fundamentally we grew exponentially."

Coach Vince O'Neal adds, "we are extremely proud of how our boys played and hung in there, especially being the first time on a varsity field. You will see quite an improvement in their skills as the season progresses and as they learn with every game."

As baseball mom Sue O’Neal, who never misses a game, puts it, “I’m just so incredibly proud of all these boys. It’s hard being the first of anything, and these boys are trailblazers for the future of Ocracoke baseball.” 

With runners on base every inning, this Ocracoke team hints at a compelling season ahead. Stay tuned. The next two games are scheduled for the 7th and 14th of March against the Hatteras Hurricanes at Cape Hatteras Secondary School. WOVV 90.1 will continue live coverage throughout the season. You can listen online at wovv.org.


The Ocracoke Middle School Dolphin Baseball Team Roster is as follows:                   

Strike!
Strike!
                             

Evin Caswell            3rd Base                                                         

Spencer Gaskins     Catcher/Pitcher                             

Matteus Gilbert       Outfield/Catcher                            

Hunter O'Neal          Utility/Outfield                               

Carson O'Neal         1st Base                                                          

There was lots of support from Dolphin fans!
There was lots of support from Dolphin fans!

Jordi Perez              Utility                                                             

Colby Spencer        2nd Base/Pitcher

Kyle Tillett              Shortstop/Pitcher

Waylon Underwood   Infield/Pitcher

Eldon Robinson         Outfield

Dylan Sutton              Outfield

Coaches: Bill Cole, Vince O’Neal, Andrew Spencer, Doug Eiffert and John Kattenburg        

Dylan Sutton gets ready to go to bat
Dylan Sutton gets ready to go to bat

 

 

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