05/23/2026
Heartbreaker! The girls battled to the end, and we are so proud of them! Safe travels home.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MANTEO, NC – In a heart-stopping, back-and-forth postseason battle, the Manteo varsity softball team fell just short against North Duplin, dropping a thrilling 10-9 decision in Game 3 of their playoff series. With the hard-fought series conclusion, Manteo officially finishes a historic season as the Regional Runners-Up.
The high-stakes matchup was an offensive showcase that came down to the final frames, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Early Sparks and Offensive Fireworks
Manteo struck first and struck hard, jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the top of the first inning. The offense kept the pressure on throughout the night, racking up an impressive 12 hits as a team.
Key offensive standouts for Manteo included:
K. Austin: Delivered the biggest swing of the night for Manteo with a towering home run, driving in 4 RBIs.
B. Dickerson: Had a spectacular night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored, two walks, an RBI, and a double.
H. Wescott & P. Berry: Both came through with clutch doubles to keep the chains moving, with Berry driving in 2 RBIs.
The Sixth-Inning Seesaw
Manteo continued to build its lead with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, holding a 5-4 advantage heading into the fateful sixth. In the top of the sixth, Manteo exploded for 4 runs to seemingly take command of the game at 9-4.
However, North Duplin answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame, scoring 6 runs on the back of a crucial home run by Fulguen to capture a 10-9 lead.
A Gritty Effort in the Circle
Manteo’s M. Gray put forth a heroic, gritty performance on the rubber. Gray went the distance, throwing 112 pitches (69 strikes) over 6.0 innings, facing 33 batters, and racking up an outstanding 10 strikeouts against a potent North Duplin lineup. Despite giving up 8 hits and dealing with some defensive miscues behind her, Gray kept Manteo within striking distance until the final out.
Ultimately, Manteo’s fierce rally in the late innings fell just one run short as North Duplin’s Higginbotham managed to close the door in relief. While the final score didn't go their way, Manteo hoists the Regional Runner-Up trophy with pride after an unforgettable championship-caliber run.