ASHEBORO — When Randolph County Post 45’s season began last week, there were major differences in terms of in-uniform personnel.
The team hopes to maintain a winning tradition.
Andrew Connor moves from a coaching role to the team’s manager after the retirement of Ronnie Pugh, who was manager for 21 years.
“Getting used to being without Coach Pugh,” Connor said. “I keep trying to talk him into coming back every chance I get. Just trying to continue what we have been doing the last several years.”
Post 45 posted a 24-10 record last year.
After several postponements, Randolph County began its schedule with Saturday’s 16-3 home romp past Wadesboro.
Connor has been with Post 45 for about 15 years. During a chunk of that time, he has been an assistant coach at Southwestern Randolph, returning to that role this year after a several-year hiatus.
Southwestern Randolph had its best postseason in school history in May. Four players, including outfielder Brady Armfield, from that team are playing for Post 45.
“Same approach, just go up there play hard,” Armfield said of the transition from the high school season. “Some nights you have a night that’s not great, that’s OK. Just push through the adversity that gets thrown at you. When times are good, roll with them. … Did it in school ball and going to do it out here again. We had a really good run.”
There’s a typical collection of players from various area schools making up the Randolph County roster.
There are a few returning players for Post 45, perhaps most notably shortstop Jake Riddle and first baseman Tate Andrews. Both former Randleman players also pitch.
“I have the same role I had last year,” Andrews said.
Pitcher Sean Jennison and infielder Caleb Coggins, both formerly of Wheatmore, are also back after a season in college programs.
“We should be very versatile. A lot of our guys can do a lot of different things,” Connor said. “We’ve got a lot of two-way guys and we’ve had that in the past. I think one of the toughest tasks is going to be managing their load throughout the summer to where they’re getting the proper rest to be able to pitch efficiently and effectively. But also keeping the bat in the lineup. I think managing our resources and understanding what our resources are.”
Andrews said there’s plenty of talent on the team. Like a few other players on the team, he’s contemplating his baseball future so playing an American Legion season is an opportunity.
“Try to get noticed,” Andrews said.
Armfield is a Belmont Abbey signee in his first American Legion season.
“A lot of the guys here are awesome,” Armfield said. “I’ve grown up playing with a lot of them. I think that we’re really talented. All nine players on the field, our whole pitching rotation.”
In the opener
A 12-run first inning set the tone for Randolph County in the beatdown of Wadesboro.
Armfield drove in four runs and Riddle, Jackson Hill and Hudson Deel all scored three runs. Deel, who’s from Rockingham County, homered.
Jennison and Kyle Dillow, who’s from Randleman, handled Post 45’s pitching.
