Post 45

Season fizzles on Post 45 in elimination loss

Season fizzles on Post 45 in elimination loss

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,…
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Problems pile up on Post 45 in first regional loss

Problems pile up on Post 45 in first regional loss

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

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

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

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

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…
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Post 45 looks for home comforts in regional

Post 45 looks for home comforts in 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…
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Post 45 fades away in state tournament

Post 45 fades away in state tournament

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

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

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…
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Post 81 makes most of evolving roster

Post 81 makes most of evolving roster

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…
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American Legion teams hit strides in Randolph County

American Legion teams hit strides in Randolph County

Carson Rickman of Eastern Randolph Post 81 scores a run last week against Greensboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)    RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph Post 81 had a recent nine-game winning streak in American Legion baseball. That string ended with a 5-4 loss last Friday at Greensboro. But Eastern Randolph was back on the winning mark Sunday night with a 4-2 win at Stanly County.  TJ. McGraw’s two-run home run was the big hit in that game as the team improved its record to 13-7. In Asheboro, Randolph County Post 45 was the host for a multi-team event during the weekend at…
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Post 81 takes satisfaction by topping county rival Post 45

Post 81 takes satisfaction by topping county rival Post 45

Shortstop Nate Gardner played a key role for Post 81 in its victory against Randolph County Post 45. (PJ Ward-Brown/North State Journal file photo) RAMSEUR – It felt like an important game for Eastern Randolph Post 81 in the American Legion rematch with in-county rival Randolph County Post 45. The outcome seemed huge as well. “It’s big for Post 81 and Eastern Randolph district,” said center fielder Brody Gardner. “We don’t do it very often.” That’s because Post 81 pulled off a 15-6 victory Tuesday night at Craven Stadium. This was no sure-thing result. A nine-run outburst in the bottom…
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