Steamers shutout Scallywags, snap two-game skid
Manteo, NC – The Clams ace of the diamond continued to be masterful on the hill. The Edenton Steamers defeated the Outer Banks Scallywags 3-0, Tuesday night in Manteo. For the third straight start, Chandler Padgett dazzled as the offense took extra bases and came up with clutch hits to get the squad back in the win column.
The Clams scored the first run of the game in the top of the 3rd inning. Left fielder Nate Paulsen singled to centerfield with one out. Paulsen advanced to second on a throwing error by Outer Banks starter Ryan Borberg and then advanced to third on a stolen base.
Two batters later, Davis Halstead reached on a ground ball on the infield to put the Steamers up 1-0.
The two key returners from last season ended early season droughts at the plate. Paulsen ended an 0-10 stretch while to start Halstead ended an 0-11.
That was all Clams starter Chandler Padgett needed.
The 5’10” right-hander from Rocky Mount, NC tossed seven innings, struck out six, walked five, and allowed two hits with no runs. Padgett has not allowed a run in 16 straight innings dating back to Outer Banks outfielder Hunter Friese’s solo homerun on opening night in the 3rd inning.
#11 had a no-hitter through the first four innings and dialed up an emphatic strikeout against Friese to end his outing tonight in the 7th.
After the game, Padgett repeated the same words from after his start vs Tarboro a week ago. “I filled up the strike zone and let my defense work”
The Clams’ offense tacked on some insurance late in the game. In the 7th inning, Alden Cottle reached on an error by Scallywags second baseman Riley Finkelston. Cottle stole second and with one out scored on a Ty Garza single to center field that brought the score to 2-0 Steamers.
As the inning continued the teal and black kept capitalizing on mistakes. With Halstead up, Garza advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third base, and came home on another wild pitch by Scallywags pitcher Ashe Ammerlaan to put the score at 3-0.
Garza’s stolen base was one of four by the Clams tonight, all coming from the 7-10 batters.
Reliever John Horton came in and shut the game down in the 8th and the 9th inning to secure the win. Horton has now appeared in four straight games.
The Steamers have now started the season 3-0 away from Historic Hicks Field. Last season Edenton started 2-1 in the first three road games before winning five games away from Woodard and Freemason between June 10th and June 25th.
After the game, Steamers center fielder Drifton Padgett said the team came ready to play.
“We didn’t want to lose again,” Padgett said. “We love to win it is a good feeling.”
The Clams will return home to Historic Hicks Field with a new wrinkle to change their recent home struggles. The Chowan County Cantaloupes are ripe and ready to go for the summer season. The Cantaloupes will make their 2023 season debut against the Norfolk Redbirds. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.
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.