Padgett silences River Bandits, Steamers win fifth straight
Tarboro, NC – A new Ace has appeared in the Steamers deck. The Edenton Steamers defeated the Tarboro River Bandits, 4-1, at Tarboro Municipal Stadium Tuesday night. The Clams’ win was fueled by a gem on the mound from starter Chandler Padgett and hits with runners in scoring position.
Right away in the top of the first inning, the teal and black jumped out to an early lead. Second baseman Luke Myers singled, left fielder Ryan Kay doubled, and extra hitter Gabe Kirck got hit by a pitch to load the bases for designated hitter Macon Winslow.
Winslow drove a fly ball deep enough in centerfield to score Myers and give the Clams the early 1-0 lead.
After a shutdown bottom of the 1st inning by Padgett, his brother and starting center fielder, Drifton, generated the offense in the second.
Padgett reached on an infield single to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a wild throw by Tarboro pitcher Lee Watson, was brought over to third on a fly out to center, and scored on a wild pitch to put the Steamers up 2-0.
That was all that was needed for #11 on the mound for Edenton. After 5 innings of one-run ball pitched in the first game of the season vs Outer Banks Chandler Padgett picked up right where he left off.
The Rocky Mount, NC native threw 7 innings, 11 strikeouts, three hits allowed, one walk, and no runs against Tarboro.
It’s the first time a Steamers pitcher has recorded at least 10 strikeouts in a game since Nicky Wohelking struck out 10 Virginia Beach Sea Dogs on June 5th, 2022.
For Padgett, it is the first time he has struck out 10-plus batters since 2018 as a member of Nash Central High School. The 5’10” 155 right-hander retired 11 North Johnston Panthers via the strikeout in 6.2 innings on April 5th, 2018.
After the game, Padgett said he felt good on the mound.
“I really just filled up the zone and let the defense work behind me,” Padgett said.
On the flip side, the Steamers’ offense continued to build some insurance as the game went along. In the top of the 4th inning, with the bases loaded, right fielder Geomar Santana poked a ball right past the pitchers’ mound into no man’s land in the infield allowing everyone to reach safely giving Edenton a 3-0 lead.
Two innings later, the other Padgett wanted to continue the Steamers family affair in Tarboro. With two outs in the top of the 6th, Drifton sent a deep fly ball that carried out of the ballpark for his first home run of the season to make it 4-0 Edenton.
The Steamers have now homered in back-to-back games after no long balls in the first three matchups.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, with Padgett out, the River Bandits lineup came to life against reliever Ben Bausas.
Tarboro catcher Phillips Daniels ripped a single to right field with runners on the corners to bring the lead to Clams lead to 4-1.
In the bottom of the 9th after a leadoff double from River Bandits pinch hitter Colin Hughes, Steamers reliever John Horton came in and struck out two to secure the win.
With the win, the Steamers have won five straight games for the first time in over three seasons. The Clams have already matched their regular season win total at Tarboro Municipal Stadium.
Up next for the Steamers is a matchup with the Outer Banks Scallywags at Historic Hicks Field, Wednesday night to start another three-game home stand. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
If you cannot make it to the game you can tune into the Steamers YouTube page, your home for every Steamers home game, and a select few road games.