Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - Welcome to the second day of this exciting tournament. If day two is anything remotely like opening day, then you are in for a special treat. Saturday was one of those rare days when every game of a tournament is filled with amazing plays, both on defense and at the plate, and each game is decided in the final inning, or extra innings. Will Sunday bring blessings or a curse? Sadly, we will say goodbye to two teams today in the elimination rounds. These are the eight best teams in the state, and so far, we have seen why. Let’s get to the action.
Rowan County wasted no time in setting the tone for this game in the bottom of the first inning. Lead-off batter, Cole Blevins, walks as Kyle Kearn’s first four pitches miss for balls. Marshall Faw lines a double to left field, followed by Carter Durant’s single that puts Rowan County ahead 2-0. Brice Knox bunts, which is mishandled, and he is safe at first. The bases are loaded with no one out after Luke Ponczka is hit by a pitch. Drew Pegram walks, resulting in another run. Cam Williamson sends a sizzling line drive to right field, allowing Knox to cross the plate. Ponczka scores on the throw, and Pegram goes to third. Gaige Scruggs adds to the tally with a sacrifice fly. Rowan County 6-0 over Beulaville. Kendal Sifford has kept Beulaville off the board after two turns at bat by striking out 5 and allowing 1 hit.
Post 342's #3 Cole Blevins batting - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Post 342 determined that their season would not end today and broke the game wide open. Carter Durant is hit by a pitch, Brice Knox strikes out, and Luke Ponczka singles to center field. A wild pitch advances both Durant and Ponczka. Durant comes home on a Drew Pegram sacrifice to left field. Cam Williamson walks, next Eli Graham lays down a beautiful bunt to third base, which scores Ponczka. After Gaige Scruggs is hit by a pitch, Austin Clements comes in relief of Kern. Williamson touches home after Cole Blevins walks. Graham races home on a Marshall Faw double. Blevins and Faw both come home on a Carter Durant single; he is later caught stealing second. After two complete innings, Rowan is 13-0 over Beulaville.
Eli Avent tries to get something started in a rally attempt for his team as the third inning begins. He hits a single to center field, Gage Howard hits into a double play, Jake Howard gets a base hit, and Jaxson Smith reaches on an error; however, they leave both runners stranded on a pop-up out. It appears Rowan will extend their lead as Brice Knox opens the bottom of the third with a monster stand-up triple. Knox is thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice, ending their only scoring threat of the inning.
Post 511's #4 Eli Avent batting - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Beulaville is still fighting to get back into the game as the fourth begins. Henry Bass leads off with a walk, Noah Rouse doubles to center field, and Blayden Pridgen brings Bass home on a sacrifice fly. That would be the only scoring of the half inning, making it 13-1 in favor of Rowan County.
Post 342 looked to put the game out of reach in the bottom half of the fourth, with one out Gaige Scruggs singled, Cole Blevins walked, a wild pitch advanced the runners, Marshall Faw loaded the bases on a walk, after a strike out Brice Knox lined to center field for a base hit scoring Scruggs, bases remained full. Dylan Carter entered the game and hit a run-scoring fly ball to right field. Singles by Cam Williamson and Drew Pegram score Knox to put Rowan County ahead 17-1. That would prove to be the final score.
For the game, Beulaville scored 1 run on 5 hits and made 1 error. Rowan County scored 17 runs on 13 hits and made 1 error. Rowan County Post 342 plays another elimination game on Monday at 4 pm. Beulaville Post 511 is eliminated.
This is the second elimination game of the day, which will narrow our field down to six teams. Garner struck first in the top of the first inning. Lead-off hitter, Aiden Taylor, was hit by a pitch, Carrick Ryan hit into a fielder’s choice, and a strikeout made it two outs with a runner on base. Cloe Norris singles deep to center field to give Garner Nationals an early 1-0 lead.
Garner Post 232's #2 Carrick Ryan batting - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
The top of the second began much like the first. Jace Jones is hit by a pitch, followed by a ground out and a fly out. There is one runner on base and two outs when Purvis hits a line drive to left field that scores Jones. Aiden Taylor adds a single, Purvis and Taylor both advance on a passed ball. Carrick Ryan’s center field single scores Purvis, followed by John Lupienski’s two-run line drive single. By the third out, Garner has pulled ahead 5-0.
Garner Post 232's #35 Aiden Taylor watching where his swing went - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
The Nationals will extend their lead in the third inning as back-to-back walks by Aiden Jones and Landon Berry set up a two-run double to center field off the bat of Ajay Rychcik. The score is now Garner Nationals 7-0 over Union County.
The game turned into a defensive battle. Garner continued to ride the arm of starting pitcher Chris Donaldson. Through six innings, Donaldson had been almost untouchable, giving up 3 hits, no runs, one base on balls, and striking out 11 batters. His performance was frustrating Post 535 batters.
Moving to the bottom of the seventh inning, Union County had three outs with which to work to mount a comeback to either tie or win the game. They were facing a new pitcher, Lucas Pruden. Donaldson was replaced to limit his pitch count moving forward in the tournament. Ben Harrington drills the first pitch he sees off Pruden for a home run. Union County showed Saturday that they can score many runs in bunches, so no lead is safe.
Christian Pawl walks, Grayson Slusher flies out to center field. Alex Lerch singles to center field. Union County is fighting for their playoff lives and their season; they are not going to go quietly. L. Nichols strikes out swinging for out two, still runners on first and second. Robert Jackson goes down swinging to end the game.
Post 535's #25 Grayson Slusher batting - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Garner wins 7-1. Union County scored 1 run on 5 hits and played error-free ball; however, the loss eliminated them. Garner scored 7 runs on 8 hits and made 3 errors. Garner will face another elimination game on Monday at 1 pm.
This is the first game of the day from the winner’s bracket. Neither team will face elimination, as they each won yesterday. The winners from these next two games will face each other on Monday, and the other two will drop into the elimination bracket. More exciting games are left today, and it gets even more interesting on Monday as the matchups are beginning to be set.
NC American Legion Senior Bracket Through Day 2
Post 100 - WNN
Pitt County looked to strike first. Camden Wilson ripped a triple to right field in the top of the first; however, he was left stranded. Jordan Brown got things rolling in the bottom of the first with a line drive double to center field. He becomes the first runner to score when he is driven in by a hard-hit ground ball by Kolt Nelson to center field. The first ends with Asheville ahead 1-0.
The second begins with Ethan Simmons walking with one out, then with two outs, Suiter Howard also walks. Simmons steals third and scores on an error by the catcher; the game is tied 1-1. Hayes Hiller hits a one-out line drive to center field, Regan Smith brings him around the bases with a screaming triple, then Smith will score on a sacrifice fly by Grant Buchanan, Asheville takes the lead 3-1.
Asheville Post 70's #1 Hayes Hillier batting - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
In the bottom of the third, Evan Conner was looking to add to the lead. He hit a one-out single, and Caden Davidson walked. Mica Simpson also walked, followed by Carson Wallace’s sacrifice pop fly that scores Conner. Davidson reaches home on a sharp single from Hayes Hillier. The Post 70 Cardinals of Asheville extended their lead to 5-1.
Post 70 went to the bottom of the fourth looking for some insurance runs. Grant Buchanan hits a line drive to center field for a single, Jordan Brown grounds out to second, Kolt Nelson singles to right field, and Buchanan scores. Conner lines a double and it’s 7-1. Caden Davidson walks, and Mica Simpson puts the game out of reach with a three-run homerun over the right field wall. Asheville has opened the lead to 10-1.
Asheville Post 70's # 20 Caden Davidson batting - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Asheville is only one run away from the game ending by the 10-run mercy rule. Regan Smith is hit by the first pitch thrown in the bottom of the fifth inning; he advances to second on a wild pitch. The game ends with Smith scoring due to an error by the catcher.
Asheville 11, Pitt County 1. Pitt County was able to score 1 run on 3 hits and committed 1 error. They will play on Monday at 1 pm against Garner in an elimination game. Asheville scored 11 runs on 10 hits and made 3 errors. Brady Nix pitched 5 innings, allowing 1 run, 3 hits, and 2 walks. He struck out 8 batters. On Monday at 7 pm in the winner’s bracket, they will play their next game.
Asheville Post 70 players celebrating the home run at home plate - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
The nightcap featured host team Cherryville Post 100 pitted against a familiar foe in the form of Wilmington Post 10. These two teams are often in the state playoffs and have met several times over the years. Wilmington has won 13 state titles and made 18 appearances in the current playoff format, and Cherryville has made 16 appearances. Tonight’s winner will move to the winner’s bracket and play on Monday night at 7 pm against Asheville Post 70; the other will drop to the elimination bracket and play in the afternoon.
Tonight was youth night, with youth groups getting in for free. Before the final game, former Post 100 player, Pastor Mike Devine, held a brief devotion and prayer with all the youth in attendance. A part of the mission of the American Legion is faith and community involvement.
Cherryville was the designated visiting team tonight. The first inning began with Post 100 being retired in order, 1,2,3. Wilmington lead-off batter, and starting pitcher, TJ Ziermann walked, Camden Croom grounded out to shortstop, on the throw to first, Ziermann took off and is in safely at third base. Tanner Berry singles to right field, and Ziermann scores the first run of the game. Wilmington 1-0.
Post 100 is again put down in order at the top of the second. Wilmington takes their turn in the bottom half of the inning. After one out, Jake Jeffrey and Davis Hinshaw both walk. Nate Carmack executes a perfect bunt to load the bases. TJ Ziermann drew his second walk of the game, and a run scores. Camden Croom hits into a fielder’s choice that scores Hinshaw and Carmack. Tanner Berry walks, Mears reaches on a dropped 3rd strike, for a passed ball, Mears advances to third base on a throwing error, Berry and Croom both score. John Mason drills a double to left field that scores Mears. Wilmington Post 10 starts to pull away 7-0.
Post 10's #5 John Mason batting - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Murphy’s law begins to set in for Post 100 in the bottom of the third. Jake Jeffrey walks, then everything goes wrong for Cherryville. A pick-off attempt is lost in the sun by Sigmon, as the runner advances. A bright spot, Evan Matile makes a tremendous diving catch in center field to rob Hinshaw of a hit. Nate Carmack bunts, and Eli Webb loses his footing as he makes the throw, and it sails wide, allowing Jeffrey to score. Camden Croom hits a missile to deep center field and slides in with a triple that scores two more runs.
Post 10's Jake Jeffery following the bunting strategy - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Cherryville finally began to shake the monkey off their back at the top of the fourth. Preston Henson walked, with one out, Tucker Sigmon hits a bouncing grounder to shortstop for the team’s first base hit. Henson scores on Landon Jenkins’ groundout. Talon Dalton reached on an error by the third baseman. A groundout ends the inning. Score 10-1.
Post 100's #1 Talon Dalton batting - Day 2 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 27th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
In the bottom of the fourth, Post 10 added three more runs on 3 hits and a walk. Score after four is 13-1. As the fifth starts, Cherryville needs to score 3 runs to avoid a run-rule shortened game. Karson Cloninger draws a one-out walk; he advances to second on a wild pitch before Nate Rollins also walks. Preston Henson’s ground out scores Cloninger. A called strike three on the final batter ends the game at 13-2.
Some games just go that way; everything went right for Wilmington, and quite a bit went wrong for Cherryville. That is only the first loss, so Post 100 gets another shot tomorrow. Cherryville scored 2 runs on 1 hit and committed 5 errors. Wilmington scored 13 runs on 7 hits and made 1 error. Cherryville drops to the elimination bracket and will play on Monday against Rowan County at 4 pm, and Asheville will be taking on Wilmington in the nightcap at 7 pm.
The obvious answer is more baseball. There are three games on tap for Monday, beginning at 1 pm. It is going to be extremely hot again, so take advantage of the cool drinks, water, and treats at the ballfield. There is also a cool-down tent with large fans to help you beat the heat.
During those three games, two more teams will be eliminated as we pare down to the final four for Tuesday and Wednesday’s semi-final and final rounds. WCSL and KTC Broadcasting will carry the play-by-play for the Cherryville-Rowan County game at 4 pm for those of you who will still be at work or unable to sit in the heat.
If possible, make plans to come to support your team, whether it is Post 100 or one of the other five. Again, a huge thank you to everyone who has made this event possible, especially the volunteers giving of their time. See you at the “Buck”.
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