KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. (May 26) – The Outer Banks Daredevils opened up the 2014 campaign against the Tidewater Drillers at First Flight Field Monday. The Daredevils (0-1) dropped a 4-1 decision to the Drillers (1-0).
After a pitcher’s duel early on, the scoring picked up in the fourth inning after Tidewater’s Zach Bach drilled a triple to right-center field. In the next at-bat, Tyler Tharp grounded out to short, which allowed Bach to come home.
The Daredevils would answer in the bottom half of the fourth, when Justin Lee singled, advanced to second on a passed ball and then was able to come home after a steal attempt at third. On the attempt, the throw to third base went into left field, allowing Lee to trot home.
Tidewater then answered back with three runs in the seventh inning. Tharp scored on a two-run triple by Nick Fazon. After a misplayed ball by the Daredevils, another run crossed the plate for the Drillers to finish the scoring off for the night, with a 4-1 final.
Despite a strong outing by the Daredevils’ James Walsh, he was held with a no decision. Walsh allowed two hits and one earned run in five innings of work, while striking out nine. Parker Kelly took the loss, allowing three runs – all earned – while allowing two hits in one inning of work. Gabriel Santana picked up the win, throwing three and two-thirds innings of one-hit ball. Santana struck out four and issued one walk.
Despite six errors by the Drillers, the Daredevils couldn’t convert on opportunities. Outer Banks stranded eight base runners, which includes the bases loaded in the second inning with one out.
One bright spot on the day was the Daredevils’ Lee. He scored the only run of the game, and reached base three times.
The Daredevils will be back in action Tuesday when they face the Little Creek Stars. Gates open at 6 p.m., with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.