THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 2, 1996 TAG: 9605300222
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 39 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 42 lines
REMEMBER THE NAMES Minton, Meekins and Toler. They will be of the utmost importance when the Manteo High School baseball team heads to the 2A ``final four'' tournament beginning Friday.
So far in the postseason, pitchers Foye Minton, Matt Meekins and Ted Toler have been nearly unhittable. The trio have combined to give up just 11 hits and one run in three postseason victories.
In Manteo's playoff opener, Minton hurled a three-hitter with 13 strikeouts as the Redskins dumped Northside 7-0.
In game two, Meekins gave the Redskins a second straight shutout, blanking Louisburg 6-0 on two hits. Meekins gave up two chintzy singles and struck out nine in his win.
In the third game this past Tuesday, Minton and Toler combined for a six-hit, 2-1 win over C.B. Aycock.
Manteo hurlers ran their scoreless streak up to 19 innings before Aycock broke it with a run off Minton in the top of the sixth.
The only time Manteo has been in serious trouble in the playoffs was when Aycock threatened in the eighth inning with the score tied at 1-1. Again, it was pitching that saved the day.
Stan Rackley led the inning with a single off Toler, who was on in relief. Derrick Mathews followed with a bunt single. Cliff Newcombe fouled off a bunt attempt with two strikes for the first out.
A wild pitch by Toler moved runners to second and third. Then Toler loaded the bases on an intentional walk. From a 3-1 count, Toler struck out B.J. Smith. Then he struck out Joshua Pender to end the inning.
``Toler came on with heat,'' said Kenny Meekins, Manteo head coach.
With three quality starters, Manteo could have an advantage in the final four tournament. It's possible that a team could play several games over two days.
If the first three playoff games are any indication, the Redskins could be in the driver's seat. by CNB