American Legion baseball - Randolph Record

21 Oct

McCrary Park takes on another new look

Bob SuttonNews, SportsAmerican Legion baseball, Asheboro Zookeepers, City of Asheboro, Coastal Plain League, McCrary Park, Randolph County Post 45

The grandstand has been flattened at McCrary Park as another phase of the renovation is in the works at the baseball park in Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The grandstand is gone, and renovations are picking up again at McCrary Park. This latest development marks the latest phase in the upgrades for the baseball park. “It’s a lot of work to do,” said Ronnie Pugh, an owner of the Coastal Plain League’s Asheboro ZooKeepers. “It’s moving along, and it’s pretty exciting. It can’t happen soon enough.” For any past visitors, the sight of the grandstand no longer in place might…

26 Aug

Post 45 could have core of roster back next year

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Braylen Hayes, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randleman baseball, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional, Tanner Marsh, Trey Way, Tyler Parks

Alex Martinez, shown here batting for Randolph County Post 45 during the Southeast Regional earlier this month in Asheboro, could be among the team's returning players for 2023. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – When the season ended for Randolph County Post 45 earlier this month, it was a downer. The team lost back-to-back games to be eliminated from the Southeast Regional in American Legion baseball in its home ballpark. Yet there might have been a ray of hope regarding the future that day at McCrary Park. “Only three of our 17 players are gone,” Randolph County manager Ronnie Pugh…

06 Aug

Season fizzles on Post 45 in elimination loss

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Braylen Hayes, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional, Trey Way, Wilmington Post 10

Randolph County Post 45 team members go through their final postgame handshake line of the season Saturday at McCrary Park. ASHEBORO – This Randolph County Post 45 baseball team seemed built for big things. Too many big innings for opponents became the undoing for the host team in the American Legion’s Southeast Regional. “I definitely think we could have had a better season than this,” left fielder Adam Cole said. The end came with a 15-5 loss to Wilmington Post 10 in an elimination game Saturday at McCrary Park. The game was reduced to five innings by the mercy rule,…

06 Aug

Problems pile up on Post 45 in first regional loss

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Braylen Hayes, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional, Trey Way

Randolph County Post 45 coaches Ryan Hill, left, Ronnie Pugh and Andrew Conner will need a plan to win three more games in the Southeast Regional. (File photo) Randolph County needs turnaround to extend season ASHEBORO -- It didn’t start well for Randolph County Post 45. Then it got worse Friday night. Yet if there’s a good omen for the host team in Southeast Regional for American Legion baseball, things are bound to get better this weekend. Or else the season will come to a disheartening conclusion. “It’s an eye-opener,” Post 45 catcher Alex Martinez said after the 12-7 loss…

05 Aug

Hayes caps Post 45 drama in late-night Southeast Regional win

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Braylen Hayes, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional, Tanner Marsh

Braylen Hayes had the final hit for Randolph County Post 45 in its extra-inning victory against Evans (Ga.) in the Southeast Regional. (File photo) ASHEBORO – Braylen Hayes wanted the chance to end Thursday night’s game in the Southeast Regional. The Randolph County Post 45 center fielder didn’t miss on that. “It works at the end, that’s all that matters,” Hayes said. “I knew (it was the winning hit) because Blake (Marsh) can move pretty good. He’s going to score.” Hayes belted a double off the wall in left field with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning,…

04 Aug

Little comes up big as Post 45 pulls out victory in Southeast Regional opener

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Blake Marsh, Grant Little, Josh Meadows, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Rock Hill Post 34, Southeast Regional, Tanner Marsh, Trey Way

Grant Little's return to action turned out to be timely for Randolph County Post 45. (File photo) ASHEBORO – The game barely started and Randolph County Post 45 needed big help in the Southeast Regional. That came from Grant Little, who hadn’t pitched in more than a month. Little calmed things down for Post 45 before the offense caused commotion in what became a 14-8 victory against Rock Hill (S.C.) Post 34 in the nightcap of the first day of the American Legion regional Wednesday night at McCrary Park. “We realize what we’re playing for,” Post 45 shortstop Tanner Marsh…

02 Aug

Post 45 aims to make it to weekend

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, Amateur baseball, American Legion baseball, Randolph County Post 45, Robert Garner, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional

Randolph County Post 45 pitcher Robert Garner is bound to be called upon for a critical role during the Southeast Regional for American Legion baseball. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Southeast Regional provides array of challenges for Randolph County ASHEBORO – In order for Randolph County Post 45 to be playing this weekend when the remaining teams have dwindled in the Southeast Regional of American Legion baseball, there are bound to be several key factors. Post 45 manager Ronnie Pugh has tried to develop pitching depth, something that became a challenge at times when the team’s schedule was either spread out or…

31 Jul

Post 45 looks for home comforts in regional

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Southeast Regional

Randolph County Post 45 players gather around manager Ronnie Pugh during the state tournament in Buies Creek. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – More than two weeks will have passed between official home games for Randolph County Post 45. But those coming this week will be the biggest of the season in the American Legion baseball’s Southeast Regional at McCrary Park. The eight-team regional will be held Wednesday through Aug. 7. Post 45 will meet the South Carolina champion Rock Hill Post 34 in the Day 1 nightcap at 6:30 p.m. After that, Randolph County’s schedule will be dictated by its…

29 Jul

Post 45 fades away in state tournament

Randolph RecordSportsAmateur baseball, American Legion baseball, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Robert Garner, state tournament, Tanner Marsh, Trey Way, Tyler Parks

Third baseman Tyler Parks of Randolph County Post 45 makes a catch on a popup during the first day of the American Legion state tournament. Shortstop Tanner Marsh, right, and left fielder Adam Cole, back, also pursue the play. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randolph County’s season will continue in Southeast Regional on home field BUIES CREEK – It started swell and ended with a thud for Randolph County Post 45 in the American Legion baseball state tournament this week. Post 45 was the lone undefeated team in the eight-team tournament through the first two days. By the time the first semifinal…

23 Jul

Post 45 falls in Area 3 final, but lessons could turn fruitful

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Newman Park, Randolph County Post 45, Rowan County, state tournament, Trey Way

SALISBURY – Something good might have come out of the Area 3 championship game for Randolph County Post 45, the losing part aside. “It’s just a reality check that we can lose,” left fielder Adam Cole said. Post 45 hadn’t been in a competitive game in more than three weeks, then didn’t execute well in numerous tight spots in Friday night’s game at Newman Park. Rowan County never trailed in a 6-4 decision. The outcome halted a 12-game winning streak, but there’s plenty still ahead for Randolph County. “It’s good for us to get the opportunity to see some of…