Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

21 Jul

Right on time: Post 45 hits stride

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Braylen Hayes, Randolph County Post 45, Robert Garner, Ronnie Pugh, sports, Trey Way, Tyler Parks

Tanner Marsh has been a key factor as a shortstop and pitcher for Randolph County Post 45. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randolph County roars into postseason on hot streak ASHEBORO — It took a little time for Randolph County Post 45 to figure it out. The timing, though, is ideal. The American Legion baseball team has been riding a hot streak that began with the second part of the regular season and has extended into the postseason. “We’re coming together as a team and understanding how to play with each other,” outfielder Adam Cole said. That tends to be the sentiment.…

21 Jul

Progress defines Post 81’s bounce back

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Eastern Randolph Post 81, Luke Thomas, Post 81

Eastern Randolph Post 81 catcher Parker Evans tags out Stanly County’s Chance Hunt during an Area 3 playoff game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Eastern Randolph rediscovers winning ways in breakthrough season RAMSEUR – Aside from the awkward ending, Eastern Randolph Post 81 put together a season that could set the foundation for the American Legion baseball program. That would make this year’s efforts well worth it for a team that had endured some tough times in recent seasons. “Our main goal was we wanted to bring life back to 81 baseball,” said first-year head coach Nate Cockman. Consider that accomplished. “It’s…

20 Jul

Liberty eateries feed on megasite boost

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsGreensboro-Randolph megasite, Liberty

LIBERTY — There’s more traffic and business in and around Liberty, and that should mean more dollars spent in the small Randolph County town. This development isn’t unexpected with activity associated with the Greensboro-Randolph megasite. “I’m actually really thankful,” said Susan Aydelette, owner of Hurricane Jane’s restaurant on South Greensboro Street. “I really think it’s going to be a blessing for everyone. I know it may not look like it right now, but you have to have patience. Some people are complaining. Eventually, everything will be settled down.” Toyota is building its first U.S. battery plant for electric vehicles, with…

19 Jul

Randleman alum Cooper heads to Liberty after leaving N.C. State

Bob SuttonSportsAppalachian League, Appalachian League All-Star Game, Atlantic Coast Conference, Burlington Sock Puppets, College baseball, Liberty Flames, N.C. State, North Carolina State baseball, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, Ryan McCrystal, summer college baseball, Trey Cooper

Trey Cooper has excelled with his college summer team and has selected a new college. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record) Transfer has been stellar for summer team in Burlington BURLINGTON – Trey Cooper found a good summer gig and a new college home. The left-handed pitcher from Randleman is transferring to Liberty after two seasons in the North Carolina State program. “At the end of the day, I said I wanted to go somewhere I could play a lot,” Cooper said. “They wanted me to be a starter (at Liberty). Everything felt right.” Cooper has been a standout in the Appalachian League…

19 Jul

Trevor Marsh could join ZooKeepers for final stretch

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, summer college baseball, Trevor Marsh, UNCW

Trevor Marsh turned in a solid season last summer for Asheboro’s team in the CPL. He could be returning. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO – Trevor Marsh might be back with Asheboro’s Coastal Plain League baseball team after all. The former Asheboro High School standout hasn’t played this summer following surgery on his left hand’s index finger that caused his season to be cut short at UNC Wilmington. Marsh, an outfielder, said last week that he might join the Asheboro ZooKeepers for the final few games of the season if he’s given medical clearance. Last year, he played for the…

18 Jul

Randleman’s Brannon: ‘Feels like a dream’ after Red Sox select him in draft

Bob SuttonNews, SportsBaseball amateur draft, Boston Red Sox, Brooks Brannon, Class 2-A, College baseball, nchsaa, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, UNC Chapel Hill

Brooks Brannon had an award-winning high school career with Randleman. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Catcher Brooks Brannon of Randleman was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round of baseball’s amateur draft Monday. “It felt like a dream come true,” Brannon said Monday night. “Excited isn’t even the word. It was ecstasy.” Brannon, 18, is enrolled at North Carolina, where he’ll play for the Tar Heels if he decides to pass on this pro opportunity. Brannon was selected with the 279th pick overall during the second day of the three-day draft that concludes Tuesday. In that spot,…

15 Jul

Loud, proud prep career for Brannon

Bob SuttonSportsbaseball, Boston Red Sox, Brooks Brannon, MLB draft, nchsaa, prep sports, Randleman, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball

Brooks Brannon had a record-setting high school season with some incredible power-hitting numbers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randleman catcher awaits draft after season filled with thrills RANDLEMAN — For all the noise Brooks Brannon can bring to a ballpark, it might be a level of calmness that helped him – and his teammates – most. Yet there could be more commotion connected to his baseball career this weekend when baseball’s amateur draft begins, and the Randleman catcher is bound to be among those selected. Whether he goes from high school to the pros – or chooses a route playing college baseball…

15 Jul

Post 45, Post 81 move on in Area 3 playoffs in different fashions

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Luke Thomas, Post 45, Post 81, Trey Way

Blake Marsh has been a factor for Randolph County Post 45 in the American Legion baseball playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randolph County Post 45 and Eastern Randolph Post 81 took different paths to reach the Area 3 playoff semifinals for American Legion baseball. Both ways worked out. Post 45 rolled to 14-0 and 9-0 victories against Mooresville Post 66 in the best-of-3 quarterfinals. Post 81 lost its series opener against Stanley County, then recovered to win twice Thursday night to keep its season alive. Due to field availability issues in Asheboro, Game 1 was played at Mooresville, with Post 45…

14 Jul

Lighthouse Award adds to Eastern Randolph’s pride

Bob SuttonNewsEastern Randolph, Lighthouse Award, Randolph County School System, Randolph County Schools, Stephen Gainey

School leaders gathered last winter when Eastern Randolph High School received the Lighthouse Award. Pictured, left to right, are Cecil Mock, former assistant principal; Cathy Waddell, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction with the Randolph County School System; principal Susan Chappell; RCSS superintendent Stephen Gainey; math teacher Ashley Inman; and retired JROTC advisor Lt. Col. Mike Williams. (Courtesy photo) School’s deep staff of alums helps define culture RAMSEUR – As principal Susan Chappell of Eastern Randolph High School reflected on the school receiving a major award on a statewide level during the past school year, one thing stood out. That’s…

11 Jul

Post 81 makes most of evolving roster

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Post 45, Post 81

Eastern Randolph Post 81's Anthony Lopossey throws a pitch during the series-clinching game in the first round of the Area 3 playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Forfeit costs Eastern Randolph in playoff pecking order RAMSEUR – Changing lineups have been part of the formula for the Eastern Randolph Post 81 baseball team. While that took a cruel twist at the end of the regular season, the team has no choice but to focus on what’s ahead with the American Legion Area 3 playoffs beginning. “Whoever is there, we’re going to go with,” head coach Nate Cockman said. “What happened in the…