Post 45 to meet reigning champion on Southeast Regional’s opening day

ASHEBORO — Randolph County Post 45 will take on the defending American Legion World Series champion on the opening day of the Southeast Regional this week at McCrary Park.

Randolph County will face Troy Post 70, the Alabama state champion, in the nightcap of the four first-day games at approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Post 45 (23-8) received an automatic spot in the eight-team field because it’s the regional host. The double-elimination regional determines the representative to advance to the American Legion World Series in Shelby.

Asheville Post 70, the North Carolina champion, will meet the South Carolina runner-up Florence in the third game of the regional’s opening day.

Other matchups Wednesday pit Puerto Rico vs. Richland County (S.C.) Post 6 at 9:30 a.m. and Owensboro (Ky.) Post 9 vs. Jacksonville (Fla.) Post 316 at 12:30 p.m.

The regional is scheduled to conclude Sunday.

Asheville won the state tournament last week in Cherryville, defeating Garner Post 232 by 12-6 in the final of the double-elimination tournament.