Rubber Match between Dolphins and Hurricanes in the Works
The Ocracoke Dolphins second game against the Hatteras Hurricanes almost didn't happen. With no field on Ocracoke, and the Hatteras field they were slated to play on being unavailable, the game was moved at the last minute to the Fessenden field in Buxton. But umpires are hard to come by. Both teams were geared up to play, so when Ocracoke School Principal Walt Padgett heard they were short an umpire, he gladly stepped up to the plate and officiated the game.
The Dolphins defeated the Hurricanes in a 4-3 nail-biter. It was apparent from the get-go that the Dolphins had really tuned up their pitching staff. Compared to their first meeting with the Hurricanes, last night's game was "night and day", said pitching coach Doug Eifert. "They're finding their rhythm. They're practicing like crazy and now it just comes natural."
Dolphin pitchers Kyle Tillett and Colby Spencer had 13 strikeouts combined and allowed only 3 walks the entire game. Coach Doug, always keeping his cool during the games, affirmed, "These boys are really learning to play the position. It's the difference between being a thrower and being a pitcher."
Last night the Dolphins' lineup got a boost with CF Josie Winstead and 2B Jordi Perez playing for the first time this season. How does it feel being the only girl in the dugout? "I'm just glad I get to play," beamed Josie. Her teammates were quick to chime in. "She's the best hitter on the team," said one. Another added, "Yeah, she swings the hardest."
The game kicked off with Colby getting a lead off single in the top of the first. He coolly stole second and Kyle took a walk to first. Next, a wild pitch advanced both runners. Catcher Spencer Gaskins came to the plate and hit a sacrifice grounder to shortstop. Colby dashed home, scoring the Dolphins' first run of the game. Two strikeouts followed to end the top of the first.
Pitcher Kyle took the mound, shutting down the Hurricanes to end the bottom of the inning with the Dolphins leading, 1-0. With a runner on base in the bottom of the 2nd, Hurricane Bud Levine nailed an inside-the-park homer, giving Hatteras a 2-1 lead. With bases loaded and 2 outs, Kyle battled through and struck out the last batter, leaving the score 3-1, Hatteras.
At the top of the fifth Josie stepped to the plate with her keen eyes allowing her to walk to first. She then stole second. Jordi hit a zinger into right field for an inside-the-park home run tying the game, 3-3. Colby hit a single and successfully swiped 2nd. A line drive by Spencer, his second RBI double of the night, and the Dolphins made it a 4-3 ballgame.
In the bottom of the sixth, Colby kept throwing heat, striking out the side for the Dolphins first win, 4-3.
As Coach Vince O'Neal walked off the field he summed up the Dolphins' historic win. "It's hard to believe we've come this far. Last year we didn't even have a team," he said.
Coach John Kattenburg, celebrating, added his two cents. "The adjustments that we made during the week really paid off. Our pitchers kept runners from advancing. Our defense played outstanding and we were aggressive on the base paths."
Hatteras pitcher Jake Phillips finds this Ocracoke team, in a word, "intimidating." They meet again next week when the Dolphins and Hurricanes resume the series. The game is tentatively scheduled for March 14 at Hatteras High School.
