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By Brian Pitts
Enterprise Record

Davin Whitaker, a redshirt freshman for East Carolina’s baseball team, experienced a hitter’s dream in the bottom of the ninth against visiting UTSA in game two of a doubleheader on May 10.
“I think (my last walk-off hit) was middle school in seventh grade, so it’s been awhile,” Whitaker said after knocking in two runs to give the Pirates an 8-7 win.
With East trailing 7-6 in the last of the ninth, the rally began with a single and a walk. The next batter laid down a successful bunt that pushed the runners to second and third.
Then Whitaker became the hero, the lefthanded stick grounding a two-run single through the right side of the infield as his teammates erupted in glee and relief.
“I was ready for whenever my name was called,” he said. “I stayed patient and was just doing what I can. I’ve learned patience. The game is challenging enough. I was just trying to keep it simple. I just got in my no-stride and made the shortest swing I could.”
Whitaker’s shining moment came on Senior Weekend with 4,525 fans in attendance. What made it all the sweeter was ECU had lost the first two games of the series, including a 7-6 stinger earlier in the day.
“It means a lot, especially on Senior Weekend,” he said after having the water cooler dumped on him. “It means a lot to do it for them.”
A backup outfielder from Mocksville, Whitaker had appeared in 26 games with six starts through May 10. He was batting .190 in 42 at-bats with a pair of homers.
“You just have to control what you can more than anything,” he said of his role. “You can control what you do, but you can’t control the other stuff. I just worry about what my responsibilities are. I’m going to play the best of my ability. If I’m on the bench, I’m going to be the best teammate, stay ready and trust in my process.”
Whitaker was a star for Davie as a 2023 senior, hitting .363 with 25 RBIs and 12 stolen bases during a 16-11 season.