Post 45 exits early in Southeast Regional

ASHEBORO — Randolph County Post 45 didn’t have enough answers during last week’s Southeast Regional in American Legion baseball.

The host team was eliminated on the third day of play in the eight-team double-elimination tournament at McCrary Park. Games were contested on parts of fifth days in the rain-hampered regional.

It marked the second year in a row that Post 45 failed to reach the two-win mark during regional play. The team finished this season with a 24-10 record.

Randolph County opened play with an 11-0 loss to Troy (Ala.) Post 70 in a game pushed back to a late-night start because of rain impacting the slate earlier in the day. Post 45 had only three hits while striking out 11 times in the six-inning game against Troy. Braxton Walker was the losing pitcher in relief.

Then Post 45 ended a four-game regional losing streak that extended to its elimination in 2023 by defeating Owensboro (Ky.) Post 9 by 7-2 last Thursday night.

Brett Smith pitched six innings with seven strikeouts, and Randolph County extended a 3-2 lead with a four-run mark in the top of the seventh. Jake Riddle, who provided one inning of shutout relief, posted two hits for Post 45 and teammates Carter Brown and Zack Scruggs each had a double. Owensboro finished with a 19-7 record.

Last Friday, Richland County (S.C.) Post 6 ousted Randolph County by rallying for a 13-4 victory. Post 45 posted a three-run first inning but couldn’t maintain the momentum.

Richland County took control with a four-run third and a five-run fourth inning. Post 45 starting pitcher Lincoln Coble took the loss and Parker Kines surrendered four runs in 2 1/3 innings of relief.

Randolph County managed four hits, including a double from Braxton Walker, and six walks in what became its season finale. Brown, Tate Andrews and Riddle all drove in one run.

North Carolina state champion Asheville Post 70 became the regional champion, advancing to the American Legion World Series in Shelby. Asheville defeated defending national champion Troy twice, winning 4-3 on Friday and then 7-6 in eight innings Sunday. Troy needed to win that Sunday matchup to force a winner-take-all clash later that day, but it didn’t happen.