MANTEO — Manteo opened its back-to-back game week with a dramatic finish Monday night, edging Gates County 5–4 on a walk-off single to right at Coy Tillett Field.
Tied 4–4 in the bottom of the seventh, Manteo capitalized on patient plate appearances. Both Collin Godfrey and Gauge Walston drew walks to load the bases, bringing Tanner Sawyer to the plate. Sawyer ripped a line drive into right field, driving in the winning run and walking off the Red Barons in Game 1 of the two-game series.
Coming off a quieter offensive performance a week ago, Manteo did a much better job of stringing hits together, collecting eight on the night. Sawyer, Nemo Govan, and Trevor Dobson each tallied a team-high two hits, with Sawyer leading the way in run production, driving in three of Manteo’s five runs.
Gates County struck first in the top of the second, taking advantage of a Manteo error to go up 1–0. Manteo responded in the bottom half of the inning with some well-executed small ball, manufacturing runs by moving runners over and trading outs for bases.
Drew Brown got the start on the mound for Manteo in the midweek matchup, working through the Gates County lineup nearly three times. Brown struck out six and walked two, but defensive miscues behind him contributed to all four Gates County runs.
Gates County’s starter struggled to command his fastball early, allowing solid contact and six hits over five innings, along with four walks.
The Red Barons mounted a serious threat in the later innings, putting together seven hits in the top of the fifth and forcing Brown from the game. Dobson came on in relief and shut the door on the Gates County rally, setting the stage for Sawyer’s heroics in the seventh.