Baseball teams ready to rumble in conference action

Cross county rivals First Flight and Manteo split a two game series last week, with each team winning on their home field. The Redskins won 9-4 on Thursday; the Nighthawks won 8-5 last Tuesday.

First Flight heads into an important week with two Northeastern Coastal Conference games against Currituck. Both teams are 8-0 in league play. First Flight’s overall record is 14-5.

Currituck, perched at 16 and 4 overall, hosts the first meeting on Tuesday, April 30; First Flight welcomes the Knights on Thursday, May 2. Each game is set for 7 p.m.

conference

Manteo first baseman James Gilreath, center, keeps close to the bags while First Flight’s Grayson Bell, right, gets a lead going towards second base. Daryl Law photo

Manteo improved to .500 mark with eight wins and eight losses overall with the victory over the ‘Hawks. They were scheduled to host Salamanca on Friday night, a team visiting from New York. First Flight beat Salamanca 11-0 last Wednesday.

After that, Manteo hosts Camden for the first round of the Albemarle Athletic Conference tournament on Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m.

Redskins coach Alfie Wheeler said his guys have worked hard this season and have fought through some adversity.

“We have had numerous injuries that have prohibited us from maintaining a consistent line up,” he said. “We are hopeful that by playoff time we can be fully healthy, something that we have not had since the very beginning of the season.”

CONFERENCE

Manteo junior catcher Jake Brown, left, looks to the Redskins dugout for the pitch call while First Flight batter Shane Nason gets set to swing. First Flight coach Steve Saunders watches from the third base line. Daryl Law photo

After the loss Tuesday, Wheeler told the guys their problem that night was pretty simple.

“When you give up eight free passes (walks and hit by pitch) and commit six errors, you are not going to beat anyone on your schedule,” he said. “That goes for any team at any level.

“Our conference tournament starts next week followed by playoffs,” Wheeler said. “We need to find a way to perform at a higher level if we want to keep playing baseball in 2019.”

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.

SportsPlus

Lifestyles

OBX Blanketeers: ‘All for sew and sew for all’

Hyde

New marker installed near old Hyde courthouse

News

Apparent human skeletal remains uncovered on Southern Shores build site

News

A cool million: Eastern North Carolina man scores huge win on scratch-off ticket

Lifestyles

Local author sheds light on unsung heroes of the Outer Banks

Currituck

Angela Lottman named coordinator for new Currituck County opioid program

News

Dare County’s 5-on-5 Committee meets March 19

News

Kill Devil Hills teen, dog located in Missouri

Crime

Juvenile placed in custody after shots fired in Colington

Crime

Sexual assault investigation leads to arrest

News

Steve Blackstock announces retirement as Dare County Schools assistant superintendent

News

Duck approves restaurant changes, signs on for Turkey Trot revival

News

UPDATED: Teen missing from Kill Devil Hills found in Missouri

Currituck

Hurdle hopper

Currituck

Merchants Millpond State Park kayaking trip set

News

Powerball jackpot reaches more than $350 million

News

Matt Hester named Dare’s Employee of the Year

Crime

Man sentenced to more than three years in prison for firearm charge

News

Manteo Healthcare Task Force hears about telemedicine

News

Nags Head receives $500,000 grant for septic system repair, replacement

Currituck

Cost sharing program aims to lower Currituck County feral cat population

Lifestyles

Resources to help with stuttering as close as your library

News

Winter weather causes delay in reopening Umstead Bridge

Lifestyles

Dare commissioners agree to new contract for Parks and Rec recommendations