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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - Cherryville opened baseball season with a preseason jamboree and two big conference wins over Lincolnton. The Ironmen fine-tuned their game on February 21 in a four-team preseason jamboree at home that was originally scheduled for East Lincoln, but was moved at the last minute due to field conditions. Participating teams were East Lincoln, Cherryville, Bandys, and Burns. The scrimmages were Bandys v/s Cherryville, Burns v/s Bandys, East Lincoln v/s Bandys, and Cherryville v/s East Lincoln. It appears this was all the tune-up the Ironmen needed as they opened the season in dominating fashion against the Lincolnton Wolves four days later.
Starting Cherryville pitcher Brock Bumgardner had a massive night on the mound and at the plate in the Ironmen's 13-1 victory. Bumgardner pitched 3 hitless, scoreless innings, facing 13 batters as he struck out 8 and walked 4. Brock blasted a grand slam home run in an explosive 5th inning. His defense helped his efforts as Cherryville committed no errors. Aaron Heavner had a good night in relief of Bumgardner as he pitched 2 innings, giving up 1 hit and 1 run against 8 batters faced. He also struck out 3. The Ironmen out-hit the Wolves 6-1 and committed no errors to Lincolnton's five. At the plate, Parker Anderson went 2 for 3, scored 2 runs, had 2 RBIs, and stole a base. Kenan Fowler drew 2 walks, scored 3 runs, and stole 2 bases. Talon Dalton scored 2 runs, drove in 2 RBIs, and stole a base. For Lincolnton, Tyler Gates was their only bright spot. He went 1-3, securing the only hit for the Wolves. He was also a starting pitcher, tossing 3 1/3 innings, striking out 6, walking 4, and giving up 8 runs (4 earned). Gates also plays for Cherryville Post 100 during the American Legion season.
Cherryville began scoring when Kenan Fowler was able to come home on a wild pitch in the top of the first inning, giving them a 1-0 lead. The Ironmen scored again at the top of the second when Davin Digh scored on a groundout by Cannon Whitesides. Kenan Fowler began the third inning with a walk; he proceeded to steal second base and scored when Parker Anderson hit a double. After stealing third base, Parker Anderson scored off Talon Dalton's sacrifice fly to left field. Davin Digh hit into a fielder's choice, allowing Jayden Adams to score off the throw. Cherryville was now up 5-0. The top of the fourth was much like the third. Kenan Fowler walked; he stole second and scored when Parker Anderson singled. Talon Dalton reached on an error, then proceeded to steal second base. Parker Anderson took advantage of a wild pitch to score. Cherryville led 8-0, after Brock Bumgardner grounds out to score Dalton. The Ironmen put the game out of reach at the top of the fifth. The inning began with Jayden Adams' single to center field, then reaching second on the throw to first, then reached third on a passed ball. Bryson Withers walks and steals second. Parker Anderson also walked. Adams scores when Talon Dalton is hit by a pitch. Brock Bumgardner seals the deal when he hits a grand slam to left field that scores Withers, Anderson, Dalton, and himself to give Cherryville a 13-0 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Lincolnton's Keyson Cowans is hit by a pitch, then advances to second on a passed ball. Tyler Gates doubled to score Cowans. After a flyout and strikeout, the game ended on the mercy rule with a final score of Cherryville 13, Lincolnton 1.
Cherryville's home opener was a near-perfect game with only 1 hit and 1 walk allowed by the pitching combination of Parker Anderson and Camden Williams. Anderson allowed no runs, no hits, and no walks as he struck out 6 batters in 3 innings. Williams pitched 2 innings, gave up 1 hit, and issued 1 walk as he struck out 5. Everything seemed to go right for the Ironmen as they were explosive at the plate, had near flawless pitching, and committed only one throwing error, on their way to a 17-0 win over Lincolnton. This was the fourth straight win over the Wolves. The win improves Cherryville to 2-0 overall and in conference play. Lincolnton falls to 0-2 overall and in conference play. Brock Bumgardner continued to have success at the plate, increasing his RBI total to 8 in the young season. In the third inning, he hit two doubles and had 3 RBIs for the game. Pinch hitter Bryson Lamacchia drove in 2 RBIs in his only plate appearance of the night. The Ironmen were also able to show patience at the plate as they drew 10 walks. The Ironmen are known for aggressive base running and added 5 stolen bases in this game to bring the season total to 10 in just two games. Cherryville out-hit Lincolnton 9 to 1. Lincolnton's only hit came from Keyson Cowan. Starting pitcher Josh Eaker worked 2 innings, striking out 4, but giving up 7 earned runs.
Post 235 players waiting to hit the field - Day 5 - Legion Junior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 23rd, 2025
Ashley Reep (WNN)
Kenan Fowler began the bottom of the first with a single, then stole second base. A pitch hit Parker Anderson. Courtesy runner, Colton Robinson, replaces him. Talon Dalton sacrifices to advance the runners. Brock Bumgardner grounds to shortstop, scoring Fowler. Robinson then scores on a wild pitch. Cherryville led 2-0. The bottom of the second begins with Davin Digh singling; he is replaced by courtesy runner Bryson Yarbro. Yarbro steals second base and scores on Bryson Withers' double. Kenan Fowler is walked and Withers scores off an errant pick-off attempt from the catcher. Parker Anderson singles in Fowler. Cherryville's lead was now 5-0.
The Ironmen had a huge third inning that began with a stand-up double hit to deep center field from Brock Bumgardner, who advanced to third on a wild pitch. Chandler Wooten walked, then stole second without a throw. Davin Digh walked to load the bases. Aaron Heavner walked, scoring Bumgardner. Wooten scores when Jayden Adams walks. A wild pitch brings in another run. Heavner is thrown out on the same play. Bryson Withers is walked, and bases are loaded again after Kenan Fowler is walked. Parker Anderson walks to score Adams. Talon Dalton's sacrifice scores Withers. Brock Bumgardner hit his second double in the inning, this one plating two RBIs from Fowler and Anderson. Bumgardner then scores off a ball, four wild pitches, and also walks Davin Digh. Canon Whitesides loads the bases once again when he is hit by a pitch. Bryson Lamacchia knocks a two-run base hit that scores Wooten and Yarbro. After the third out, Cherryville held a commanding 15-0 lead. Karter Willis began the bottom of the fourth by walking. Camden Williams collected a base hit, and a wild pitch advanced both runners. The bases are loaded after Curtis Kester walks. Chandler Wooten hit a two-run single to put Cherryville ahead 17-0, which would be the final score as Lincolnton failed to score in the fifth, resulting in the mercy rule. The Ironmen will host East Gaston at Fraley Field on March 3 at 7 pm. Dates and times are always subject to change due to weather.
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