The Edenton Steamers baseball team kicked off its inaugural season in the Old North State League against non-league opponent Northeastern on Friday night at Historic Hicks Field.
Steamers General Manager Jared Taylor said the team, which is coming off back-to-back championships in the Premier Collegiate League, begins the new season with an experience advantage.
“We’re fortunate enough to have several returners from the past two years. We have six that were on our roster in 2023, so there are several returners,” Taylor said earlier this week.
Because the Steamers joined the Old North State League, Edenton will play teams from a much larger geographical region and a formidable lineup of experienced players. The league includes the Elizabeth City River City Skippers, who began their season this past weekend.
“We’re part of a new divisional setup in the Old North State League. There are 20 teams across the state of North Carolina, soon to be 22, that we have decided to join and be a part of,” Taylor said. “It’s a new and growing league. The league goes from Edenton and Elizabeth City on the coast to Hendersonville in western North Carolina.”
The Old North State League gives all 22 teams a “bigger footprint together,” Taylor said.
“We should be looking at a more competitive league and some things that make for better marketability for the team,” he said.
The Steamers have 29 players, mostly college students, who play during the summer to keep in practice. Taylor said that among them are a couple of stand-outs.
“I’m excited about Kyle Waters, a shortstop from Virginia State University. He’s coming off a team that was all-conference. We’re excited about him,” Taylor said.
He also noted Nikki Walking, a pitcher from Chowan University, who will return this year after a year away from the team.
Edenton also has a favorite son who is returning to the team. Hank Downum, a Holmes High School grad and son of Aces baseball coach John Downum, is a student at Pitt Community College.
Taylor said the pace of play is hectic, allowing at least one game each week at Edenton Historic Hicks field. Most weeks have at least one home game.
Edenton’s season will start with home games against non-league Northeastern Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. If the team fails to compete in the playoffs, its season will run through July 23.
The team’s schedule is posted online at https://www.edentonsteamers.com/stats#/2402/schedule?team_id=319295, and its roster can be found at https://www.edentonsteamers.com/stats#/2402/team/319295/roster.
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