Ah well, it was fun while it lasted for Post 13.
The Wilson nine bowed out of the American Legion baseball playoffs Friday night with an 11-10 loss in the decisive game 5 of their Area One Eastern Division championship series against Rocky Mount Post 58. Probably a little painful for Post 13 to take about now considering they were up 2-0 in the series and had a 10-8 lead going into the bottom of the ninth Friday night.
But Rocky Mount is just one tough team from which to get three outs in a row. Post 58 showed exactly how formidable its bats could be with a 32-5 thrashing it laid on Wilson in game 3. Rocky Mount scored 59 runs in its last three games, easily overcoming what some of its supporters told me was its shaky pitching staff.
I didn't think Post 58's pitching was that bad but it wasn't spectacular. Still, as true as is the common thinking in baseball that pitching wins pennants, hitting is more likely to win American Legion state championships. Assuming Rocky Mount gets past Cary Post 67 in the Area One finals, I have to like Post 58's chances in the state tournament in Greenville.
That black-and-red-clad crowd wields some pretty mean metal, especially in the cozy confines of the Northern Nash High School field, where Rocky Mount plays its home games. But even if Post 58 played in cavernous Fleming Stadium, they'd just have more doubles instead of home runs.
None of this will mean much to the Wilson players and coaches now but they had a heckuva season. One that began with four straight losses and ended with three straight losses. But in between there were some memorable moments as Wilson went deeper than anyone would have imagined at the beginning of the season.
For any team from Wilson, losing to Rocky Mount is never fun (and it definitely goes both ways) but I guess the Post 13 players from Fike are even more disappointed. After all, this series was in some way a continuation of that great Fike-Rocky Mount High rivalry from the 2008 high school season. The Gryphons and Golden Demons (which included Post 13 players Bentley Massey, Zac Crumpler, Tripp Sauls, David Gibbons, Michael McLawhorn and Mitchell Wheeler) had some great matchups but Rocky Mount got the last laugh with a playoff win on its way to the state 3-A championship.
Now it seems Rocky Mount might get a chance to win an American Legion state title, or at the very least, play for one.
But Wilson players showed their mettle and a few, such as Wheeler and Zack Lee, demonstrated abilities that could very well carry over into a career at the collegiate level. The ones that are already college will take back valuable lessons from the summer, which ended up being a memorable one after all.
Now I'm out of here for a couple of weeks for my long-awaited vacation but I will be checking in from time-to-time as we get ready for football season. Can you believe high schools can start practice two weeks from today?
Showing posts with label American Legion baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American Legion baseball. Show all posts
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Big win for Wilson in Area One semifinals opener
I have to say I was a little surprised at the ease with which Wilson Post 13 rattled Rocky Mount Post 58 pitching Sunday night in Wilson's 14-9 win in the first game of their American Legion baseball Area One Eastern Division finals series.
Post 13 slammed 18 hits, including a season-best 5-for-5 night by designated hitter Zac Crumpler, who is coming off his redshirt freshman season at Barton College. Crumpler's Bulldogs — and former Fike High School — teammate Bentley Massey did the job on the mound for Wilson even though he wasn't overpowering. Massey — who was shaky in his last outing, a 9-4 win over Kinston Post 43 in game 2 of the previous series — managed to get through 7 1/3 innings with just five hits allowed. Rocky Mount, which had been averaging almost 16 runs per game at home this season, couldn't get the balls to fall Sunday at Northern Nash High School. Several times, Post 58 batters lasered shots off Massey but Wilson outfielders Seth Wiggs, David Gibbons and Zack Lee came up with the catches.
And Wilson just continued its hit parade, nicking Post 58 starter Dillon Cockrell, who suffered his first loss, and two more pitchers for at least a run in seven of nine innings.Wilson got a hit in every inning but the third and went 7 for 21 with runners in scoring position.
Plus, Wilson's only error — on a pickoff throw to first base in the first inning — allowed an unearned run to score but that was it.
Post 13 had to win this game to have a shot to win this series. Rocky Mount pitching, I am told, isn't its strong suit but a win against Cockrell, Post 58's No. 1 starter, has to help Wilson's confidence, especially with its No. 1, Justin Nygard, only available for one start in this series.
Right-hander Kyle Shields will get the call Monday night at Fike High School with Brandon Denton likely to start for Rocky Mount. Wilson's game 3 starter is anyone's guess with Richard Carr throwing seven innings in game 4 against Kinston on Thursday night.
Even if Carr pitches Tuesday on three days rest, Post 13 head coach Rusty Dail is going to have to look for someone else to help out. Massey threw 102 pitches Sunday and could be ready for game 5 but that means Nygard will have to go Wednesday.
Mitchell Wheeler has been a serviceable bullpen option for Wilson but he was taken to task in the ninth inning by some frustrated Rocky Mount hitters. Other mound options could be Tripp Sauls, Chris Johnson or even Zack Lee, who has pitched very little this summer despite a solid spring at Hunt.
As Lee said, almost too obviously, following Sunday's game: "We outscored 'em and that's what we're going to have to do every game this series."
Wilson might have to hit well to keep up with Rocky Mount but a couple more strong pitching performances could be what it needs to advance to its first Area One championship series since 1990.
Post 13 slammed 18 hits, including a season-best 5-for-5 night by designated hitter Zac Crumpler, who is coming off his redshirt freshman season at Barton College. Crumpler's Bulldogs — and former Fike High School — teammate Bentley Massey did the job on the mound for Wilson even though he wasn't overpowering. Massey — who was shaky in his last outing, a 9-4 win over Kinston Post 43 in game 2 of the previous series — managed to get through 7 1/3 innings with just five hits allowed. Rocky Mount, which had been averaging almost 16 runs per game at home this season, couldn't get the balls to fall Sunday at Northern Nash High School. Several times, Post 58 batters lasered shots off Massey but Wilson outfielders Seth Wiggs, David Gibbons and Zack Lee came up with the catches.
And Wilson just continued its hit parade, nicking Post 58 starter Dillon Cockrell, who suffered his first loss, and two more pitchers for at least a run in seven of nine innings.Wilson got a hit in every inning but the third and went 7 for 21 with runners in scoring position.
Plus, Wilson's only error — on a pickoff throw to first base in the first inning — allowed an unearned run to score but that was it.
Post 13 had to win this game to have a shot to win this series. Rocky Mount pitching, I am told, isn't its strong suit but a win against Cockrell, Post 58's No. 1 starter, has to help Wilson's confidence, especially with its No. 1, Justin Nygard, only available for one start in this series.
Right-hander Kyle Shields will get the call Monday night at Fike High School with Brandon Denton likely to start for Rocky Mount. Wilson's game 3 starter is anyone's guess with Richard Carr throwing seven innings in game 4 against Kinston on Thursday night.
Even if Carr pitches Tuesday on three days rest, Post 13 head coach Rusty Dail is going to have to look for someone else to help out. Massey threw 102 pitches Sunday and could be ready for game 5 but that means Nygard will have to go Wednesday.
Mitchell Wheeler has been a serviceable bullpen option for Wilson but he was taken to task in the ninth inning by some frustrated Rocky Mount hitters. Other mound options could be Tripp Sauls, Chris Johnson or even Zack Lee, who has pitched very little this summer despite a solid spring at Hunt.
As Lee said, almost too obviously, following Sunday's game: "We outscored 'em and that's what we're going to have to do every game this series."
Wilson might have to hit well to keep up with Rocky Mount but a couple more strong pitching performances could be what it needs to advance to its first Area One championship series since 1990.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
It's Rocky Mount vs. Wilson again
With Wilson Post 13's 6-3 win Friday at Kinston Post 43 in game 5 of the American Legion baseball Area One Eastern Division semifinals, a classic matchup has been set for the best-of 5 Eastern finals series.
Rocky Mount Post 58 (although technically, it's Nash County Coleman-Pitt Post 58 but we like 'Rocky Mount' better), the North Conference champion, will meet Wilson, beginning Sunday night at Northern Nash High School.
Neither post has had a particularly successful history. Wilson's last trip to the Area One Eastern Division finals was in 2004. Its last Eastern crown was in 1990. Wilson's only Area One title came in 1980 but Post 13 did win N.C. American Legion East championships in 1941 and '42 (prior to the start of Area One). Wilson lost to Shelby Post 82 in the '42 state championship series, three games to two.
Rocky Mount won its only American Legion state championship in 1973 and played in the East championship in 1959 and 1962. Rocky Mount's last trip to the Area One Eastern finals was 1995. Post 58's last Area One title was in 1986 when it successfully defended its crown.
This year, Wilson is 14-10 and has won 9 of its last 11 games but was handed consecutive defeats, 12-2 and 14-3, by Post 58. Those were Post 13's only North Conference losses.
Rocky Mount, which has won eight straight, is 14-2 with its only defeats coming at the hands of New Bern and Edenton, which it swept in the Eastern Division semifinals this past week. Post 58 was averaging 16 runs per game at home until its last win, a 6-4 series-clinching victory over Edenton on Wednesday.
Thanks to Charles Alston for the factoids on Post 58 and let's look forward to a good series!
Rocky Mount Post 58 (although technically, it's Nash County Coleman-Pitt Post 58 but we like 'Rocky Mount' better), the North Conference champion, will meet Wilson, beginning Sunday night at Northern Nash High School.
Neither post has had a particularly successful history. Wilson's last trip to the Area One Eastern Division finals was in 2004. Its last Eastern crown was in 1990. Wilson's only Area One title came in 1980 but Post 13 did win N.C. American Legion East championships in 1941 and '42 (prior to the start of Area One). Wilson lost to Shelby Post 82 in the '42 state championship series, three games to two.
Rocky Mount won its only American Legion state championship in 1973 and played in the East championship in 1959 and 1962. Rocky Mount's last trip to the Area One Eastern finals was 1995. Post 58's last Area One title was in 1986 when it successfully defended its crown.
This year, Wilson is 14-10 and has won 9 of its last 11 games but was handed consecutive defeats, 12-2 and 14-3, by Post 58. Those were Post 13's only North Conference losses.
Rocky Mount, which has won eight straight, is 14-2 with its only defeats coming at the hands of New Bern and Edenton, which it swept in the Eastern Division semifinals this past week. Post 58 was averaging 16 runs per game at home until its last win, a 6-4 series-clinching victory over Edenton on Wednesday.
Thanks to Charles Alston for the factoids on Post 58 and let's look forward to a good series!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Crumpler, Sauls get the last laugh for Post 13
The Wilson American Legion Post 13 baseball team just keeps rolling along as it downed Kinston Post 43 9-4 for its eighth straight win Tuesday night in Fleming Stadium.
The last five victories have come in the Area One Eastern Division playoffs with Wilson just a win away from moving into the Eastern Division finals.
I stopped by Fleming on Tuesday to shoot a few photographs while senior staff writer Tom Ham handled the story. I left after the fifth inning with the score tied 4-4. Later, I was happy to hear that a couple of the guys with the big hits for Post 13 were Zac Crumpler and Tripp Sauls, both of whom struggled at the plate early.
Crumpler struck out his first two at-bats and then pulverized a double off the base of the left-center field wall to start the fifth. But he was thrown out trying to advance to third on an infield grounder by Mitchell Wheeler, completing a double play that vaporized Wilson's would-be rally.
But Crumpler more than atoned by smashing a two-run homer in Wilson's three-run seventh, scoring Sauls who had doubled in the go-ahead run.
Earlier in the game, Sauls had blasted what looked like a homer to left field but it curved foul just as he was approaching second. In disbelief, he returned to the batter's box where he ended up striking out.
Both these guys have had solid summers and are big reasons Post 13 is in position to go where it hasn't been in anyone's memory — the third round of the playoffs. Head coach Rusty Dail has seemed to find the right mix of players at the right time and it's paying off for Post 13.
Kyle Shields gets the call on the mound Wednesday night as the series returns to Kinston with Wilson eyeing its second straight sweep.
The last five victories have come in the Area One Eastern Division playoffs with Wilson just a win away from moving into the Eastern Division finals.
I stopped by Fleming on Tuesday to shoot a few photographs while senior staff writer Tom Ham handled the story. I left after the fifth inning with the score tied 4-4. Later, I was happy to hear that a couple of the guys with the big hits for Post 13 were Zac Crumpler and Tripp Sauls, both of whom struggled at the plate early.
Crumpler struck out his first two at-bats and then pulverized a double off the base of the left-center field wall to start the fifth. But he was thrown out trying to advance to third on an infield grounder by Mitchell Wheeler, completing a double play that vaporized Wilson's would-be rally.
But Crumpler more than atoned by smashing a two-run homer in Wilson's three-run seventh, scoring Sauls who had doubled in the go-ahead run.
Earlier in the game, Sauls had blasted what looked like a homer to left field but it curved foul just as he was approaching second. In disbelief, he returned to the batter's box where he ended up striking out.
Both these guys have had solid summers and are big reasons Post 13 is in position to go where it hasn't been in anyone's memory — the third round of the playoffs. Head coach Rusty Dail has seemed to find the right mix of players at the right time and it's paying off for Post 13.
Kyle Shields gets the call on the mound Wednesday night as the series returns to Kinston with Wilson eyeing its second straight sweep.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Familiar powers eliminated from Area One playoffs
Wayne County Post 11 was eliminated by Edenton Post 40 7-4 in game 5 of their Area One Eastern Division first-round playoff series Saturday night. Wayne was the two-time defending Eastern Division as well as Area One champion.
With Pitt County Post 39 losing in the first round, that means for the first time since Snow Hill won it in 2003 there will be an Eastern Division champion besides Pitt Post 39 or Wayne Post 11.
Also, with Garner out of the Western Division playoffs, that means for the first time since North Raleigh beat Snow Hill in 2003 there will be an Area One king besides Pitt Post 39, Wayne County or Garner.
The Western Division semifinals have No. 6 seed Clayton Post 71 taking on top-seeded Durham Post 7 and No. 2 Cary Post 67 meeting North Raleigh Post 297.
The semifinals begin Monday night.
With Pitt County Post 39 losing in the first round, that means for the first time since Snow Hill won it in 2003 there will be an Eastern Division champion besides Pitt Post 39 or Wayne Post 11.
Also, with Garner out of the Western Division playoffs, that means for the first time since North Raleigh beat Snow Hill in 2003 there will be an Area One king besides Pitt Post 39, Wayne County or Garner.
The Western Division semifinals have No. 6 seed Clayton Post 71 taking on top-seeded Durham Post 7 and No. 2 Cary Post 67 meeting North Raleigh Post 297.
The semifinals begin Monday night.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Two-time Wayne Co. survives another day
Wayne County Post 11, the two-time defending American Legion baseball Area One Eastern Division champion, kept its season alive with a 6-3 win in 11 innings at Edenton Post 40 on Friday night.
The teams will convene at Mount Olive College's Scarborough Field for the decisive game 5 of the first-round Eastern Division series on Saturday night. The winner will take on North Conference champion in the Eastern semifinals, which begin Monday. Wilson Post 13 and Kinston Post 43 are in the other semifinals.
For more on Wayne County Post 11, check out Keith Waters blog. If anyone started one like Keith's for Wilson, I might be out of business.
The teams will convene at Mount Olive College's Scarborough Field for the decisive game 5 of the first-round Eastern Division series on Saturday night. The winner will take on North Conference champion in the Eastern semifinals, which begin Monday. Wilson Post 13 and Kinston Post 43 are in the other semifinals.
For more on Wayne County Post 11, check out Keith Waters blog. If anyone started one like Keith's for Wilson, I might be out of business.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Post 13 has potential
I only caught a few innings since I was the self-appointed photog for the camera-challenged Senior Staff Writer but it was good to see Wilson American Legion Post 13 finally win a baseball game.
By the time I arrived at Fleming Stadium on Wednesday evening, Post 13 was routing Pitt County Post 160 7-0 in the second inning. Wilson ended up winning 11-2 as it banged out 14 hits in winning for the first time in five games.
The American Legion season is early. Wilson still hasn't played an (deep breath) Area One Eastern Division North Conference game (exhale) yet but nobody wants to be 0-5. Especially a team with this much talent.
Head coach Rusty Dail has five college players on the roster, including starting pitchers Justin Nygard and Bentley Massey. Throw in Alex Howard (an All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association second-team pick as a freshman at St. Augustine's this spring), Chris "Petey" Lamm and Zac Crumpler and that's some pretty good experience along with the high school players on the squad.
In my five years of observing Post 13, I have to say this lineup and pitching staff has the most potential — at least at this stage of the season. Of course, Dail has had some good teams over the past few seasons, including the 2006 Eastern Division regular-season champion and the 2003 North Conference winner. Most of Dail's current players were members of the first Post 13 junior team to reach the state tournament in 2006, so success is expected of this group.
It's hard to say which team is the one to beat in the Eastern Division since no one really knows who is playing for whom at this time of year. But Pitt County Post 39 is a perennial favorite and certainly Wayne County Post 11, state tournament qualifiers the past two summers, is always lethal. You can't overlook Rocky Mount Post 58 which should benefit from the contributions of the Rocky Mount High School players (although you can bet Brian Goodwin will be wearing a minor league uniform this summer).
But I think Wilson will be right in the thick of things by the end of the month. And if I'm right, maybe I'll get a set of keys to Fleming so I won't have to worry about getting locked in again.
By the time I arrived at Fleming Stadium on Wednesday evening, Post 13 was routing Pitt County Post 160 7-0 in the second inning. Wilson ended up winning 11-2 as it banged out 14 hits in winning for the first time in five games.
The American Legion season is early. Wilson still hasn't played an (deep breath) Area One Eastern Division North Conference game (exhale) yet but nobody wants to be 0-5. Especially a team with this much talent.
Head coach Rusty Dail has five college players on the roster, including starting pitchers Justin Nygard and Bentley Massey. Throw in Alex Howard (an All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association second-team pick as a freshman at St. Augustine's this spring), Chris "Petey" Lamm and Zac Crumpler and that's some pretty good experience along with the high school players on the squad.
In my five years of observing Post 13, I have to say this lineup and pitching staff has the most potential — at least at this stage of the season. Of course, Dail has had some good teams over the past few seasons, including the 2006 Eastern Division regular-season champion and the 2003 North Conference winner. Most of Dail's current players were members of the first Post 13 junior team to reach the state tournament in 2006, so success is expected of this group.
It's hard to say which team is the one to beat in the Eastern Division since no one really knows who is playing for whom at this time of year. But Pitt County Post 39 is a perennial favorite and certainly Wayne County Post 11, state tournament qualifiers the past two summers, is always lethal. You can't overlook Rocky Mount Post 58 which should benefit from the contributions of the Rocky Mount High School players (although you can bet Brian Goodwin will be wearing a minor league uniform this summer).
But I think Wilson will be right in the thick of things by the end of the month. And if I'm right, maybe I'll get a set of keys to Fleming so I won't have to worry about getting locked in again.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The boys (of summer) are back (almost)
It's almost time for the sights and sounds of summer in Wilson and that means the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd and the booming voice of public-address announcer Alton Britt.
If you live less than a mile from Fleming Stadium, as I do, you can hear Alton's voice carrying through the thick, summer air as he announces the next batter for the Wilson Tobs.
That's right, the Tobs season is almost here. They begin next Wednesday on the road at Coastal Plain League rival Fayetteville then return home the next night for their Fleming Stadium opener against the Asheboro Copperheads.
Tobs manager Jeff Steele, however, might not be there by the first game. In real life, Steele is the pitching coach at Lubbock Christian University, which is playing in the NAIA World Series that runs from Friday to May 29.
But before the Tobs get going, the Wilson American Legion Post 13 team starts its season Monday night against Clayton Post 71 at Smithfield-Selma High School. Post 13 will play its home opener Friday, May 29, against Raleigh Post 1 in Fleming.
The original opener for Post 13 was to have been Friday in Fleming against Pitt County Post 39 but the high school playoffs have limited each team's ability to field a full roster.
Rusty Dail is back as Post 13's head coach while Parker Davis and Daniel Johnson return as assistant coaches.
Also pushing back their opener is the Post 13 junior team, which canceled two dates this week and will now launch its season Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Washington on the Fike High School diamond.
The junior Legion team has a new coaching staff as Jay Wheeler stepped down and former Greenfield School coach Robert Stokely stepped up. Stokely, now in private business, will have Jay Lamm helping him.
If you live less than a mile from Fleming Stadium, as I do, you can hear Alton's voice carrying through the thick, summer air as he announces the next batter for the Wilson Tobs.
That's right, the Tobs season is almost here. They begin next Wednesday on the road at Coastal Plain League rival Fayetteville then return home the next night for their Fleming Stadium opener against the Asheboro Copperheads.
Tobs manager Jeff Steele, however, might not be there by the first game. In real life, Steele is the pitching coach at Lubbock Christian University, which is playing in the NAIA World Series that runs from Friday to May 29.
But before the Tobs get going, the Wilson American Legion Post 13 team starts its season Monday night against Clayton Post 71 at Smithfield-Selma High School. Post 13 will play its home opener Friday, May 29, against Raleigh Post 1 in Fleming.
The original opener for Post 13 was to have been Friday in Fleming against Pitt County Post 39 but the high school playoffs have limited each team's ability to field a full roster.
Rusty Dail is back as Post 13's head coach while Parker Davis and Daniel Johnson return as assistant coaches.
Also pushing back their opener is the Post 13 junior team, which canceled two dates this week and will now launch its season Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Washington on the Fike High School diamond.
The junior Legion team has a new coaching staff as Jay Wheeler stepped down and former Greenfield School coach Robert Stokely stepped up. Stokely, now in private business, will have Jay Lamm helping him.
Monday, July 21, 2008
American Legion update
The American Legion baseball Area One semifinals are set with Wayne County taking on New Bern in the Eastern Division championship and Durham playing Cary for the Western Division title. Both series begin Tuesday evening.
Wayne County, the defending Area One king, defeated Pitt County Post 39 3 games to 1 in the best-of-5 Eastern semifinals while New Bern outlasted Edenton. Cary swept Clayton in one Western semifinals series while Durham did the same to Apex in the other.
For what it's worth (and that's not much), Wilson beat both Durham and Cary but didn't play either New Bern or Wayne County this season.
Wayne County, the defending Area One king, defeated Pitt County Post 39 3 games to 1 in the best-of-5 Eastern semifinals while New Bern outlasted Edenton. Cary swept Clayton in one Western semifinals series while Durham did the same to Apex in the other.
For what it's worth (and that's not much), Wilson beat both Durham and Cary but didn't play either New Bern or Wayne County this season.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Late updates from Legion playoffs
These scores came in too late for the print edition of Saturday's Wilson Daily Times so I'm posting them here.
Area One Eastern Division first-round playoffs
Wayne County 15, Tarboro 1 (Wayne Co. wins series 2-0)
New Bern 5, Rocky Mount 1 (New Bern wins series 2-0)
Edenton 5, Kinston 2 (Series tied 1-1)
Wilson at Pitt Post 39, ppd., rain
So New Bern will play the winner of Saturday's Edenton-Kinston finale while Wayne Co. must wait to see if Wilson can tie its series with Pitt Post 39 on Saturday evening.
One note, Wilson and Wayne did not meet in the regular-season for the first time in anyone's memory.
Area One Eastern Division first-round playoffs
Wayne County 15, Tarboro 1 (Wayne Co. wins series 2-0)
New Bern 5, Rocky Mount 1 (New Bern wins series 2-0)
Edenton 5, Kinston 2 (Series tied 1-1)
Wilson at Pitt Post 39, ppd., rain
So New Bern will play the winner of Saturday's Edenton-Kinston finale while Wayne Co. must wait to see if Wilson can tie its series with Pitt Post 39 on Saturday evening.
One note, Wilson and Wayne did not meet in the regular-season for the first time in anyone's memory.
Friday, July 11, 2008
All you ever wanted to know about American Legion baseball state champions
Thanks to the hardy efforts of Don Hines at NCPreps.com, here is a lengthy list of North Carolina American Legion baseball state champions.
No, Wilson Post 13 has never won an American Legion state final but it did lose to Shelby in the 1942 state championship. Wilson won East championships in 1941 and 1942 and lost in the East finals in 1944 and 1980.
The late, great Snow Hill Post 94 was East champion and state finalist in 1981 and 1988 under legendary head coach James "Rabbit" Fulghum.
N.C. American Legion championship series results (1928-99)
1928 Raleigh 1 d. ...........................unknown
1929 Asheville 70 d. ........................unknown
1930 Gastonia 23 d. Rosemary 2-0
1931 Roanoke Rapids d. Greensboro Burtner 2-1
1932 Gastonia 23 d. Durham 1-0
1933 Gastonia 23 d. Elizabeth City 2-0
1934 Charlotte 9 d. Gastonia 3-1
1935 Gastonia 23 d. Asheboro 3-1
1936 Charlotte 9 d. High Point 3-0
1937 Charlotte 9 d. Forest City 3-1
1938 Gastonia 23 d. Charlotte 9 3-1
1939 Charlotte 9 d. Hamlet 3-1
1940 Albemarle 76 d. Harnett County 3-2
1941 Gastonia 23 d. Albemarle 4-3
1942 Shelby 82 d. Wilson 3-2
1943 Whiteville 137 d. Albemarle 3-0
1944 Albemarle 76 d. Shelby 4-1
1945 Shelby 82 d. Laurinburg 4-0
1946 Kannapolis 115 d. Red Springs 4-0
1947 Kannapolis 115 d. Durham 3-1
1948 Hickory 48 d. Chapel Hill 4-1
1949 Gastonia 23 d. Selma 3-0
1950 Gastonia 23 d. Laurinburg 4-3
1951 Shelby 82 d. Graham 4-3
1952 Kannapolis 115 d. Graham 4-1
1953 Cherryville 100 d. Wilmington 4-3
1954 Gastonia 23 d. Wilmington 4-1
1955 Rowan County 14 d. Wilmington 4-3
1956 Wilmington 10 d. Gastonia 4-3
1957 Shelby 82 d. Massey Hill 4-0
1958 Shelby 82 d. Massey Hill 4-1
1959 Wilmington 10 d. Kannapolis 4-2
1960 Wilmington 10 d. Cherryville 4-1
1961 Kannapolis 115 d. Hamlet 4-1
1962 Wilmington 10 d. Asheboro 4-0
1963 Greensboro Cone 386 d. Goldsboro 4-2
1964 Charlotte 9 d. Goldsboro 4-2
1965 Charlotte 9 d. Raleigh 4-0
1966 Asheboro 45 d. Greensboro Cone 4-3
1967 Greensboro Cone 386 d. Asheboro 4-3
1968 Greensboro Burtner 53 d. Rowan County 4-1
1969 Rowan County 342 d. Wilmington 4-1
1970 Wilmington 10 d. Rowan County 4-2
1971 Rowan County 342 d. Wilmington 4-1
1972 Hamlet 49 d. Gastonia 4-1
1973 Rocky Mount 58 d. Shelby 4-0
1974 Hamlet 49 d. Shelby 3-1
1975 Sanford 382 d. Asheboro.............................
1976 Newell 287 d. Johnston County 4-1
1977 Newell 287 d. Whiteville 4-0
1978 Asheboro 45 d. Hamlet 4-2
1979 Hamlet 49 d. Rowan County 4-3
1980 Wilmington 10 d. Rowan County 4-3
1981 Cherryville 100 d. Snow Hill 4-0
1982 Hamlet 94 d. Cherryville 4-3
1983 Hamlet 49 d. Charlotte-262 4-0
1984 Rowan County 342 d. Hope Mills 4-0
1985 Whiteville 137 d. Caldwell County 4-1
1986 Caldwell County 29 d. Whiteville 4-1
1987 Hamlet 49 d. Haw River 4-0
1988 Kernersville 36 d. Snow Hill 4-3
1989 Whiteville 137 d. Mocksville 4-1
1990 Caldwell County 29 d. Whiteville 3-0
1991 Caldwell County 29 d. Whiteville 4-3
1992 Kernersville 36 d. Wilmington 4-2
1993 Rowan County 342 d. Laurinburg 4-0
1994 Wilmington 10 d. Kernersville 4-1
1995 Wilmington 10 d. Kernersville 4-2
1996 Whiteville 137 d. Rutherford County 4-1
1997 Cherryville 100 d. Wayne County 4-2
1998 Cherryville 100 d. Pitt County 4-3
1999 Garner 232 d. Cherryville 4-1
N.C. American Legion state tournament finals (2000-07)
2000 Caldwell County 7, Rowan County 3
2001 Shelby 4, Garner 3, 12 innings
2002 Rowan County 7, Wayne County 5
2003 Cherryville 7, Pineville 3
2004 Garner 4, Caldwell County 0 (vacated Feb. 2005)
2005 Pitt County-39 4, Lexington 2
2006 Morehead City 7, Caldwell County 6
2007 Cherryville 6, Wayne County 1
State championship winners:
Gastonia (9) -- 1930, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1938, 1941, 1949, 1950, 1954
Newell/Charlotte-9 (8) -- 1934, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1964, 1965, 1976, 1977
Wilmington (8) -- 1956, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1970, 1980, 1994, 1995
Cherryville (6) -- 1953, 1981, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2007
Hamlet/Richmond County (6) -- 1972, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1987
Rowan County (6) -- 1955, 1969, 1971, 1984, 1993, 2002
Shelby (6) -- 1942, 1945, 1951, 1957, 1958, 2001
Caldwell County (4) -- 1986, 1990, 1991, 2000
Kannapolis (4) -- 1946, 1947, 1952, 1961
Whiteville (4) -- 1943, 1985, 1989, 1996
Albemarle (2) -- 1940, 1944
Greensboro Cone (2) -- 1963, 1967
Asheboro (2) -- 1966, 1978
Garner (2) -- 1999, 2004 (vacated Feb. 2005)
Kernersville (2) -- 1988, 1992
Asheville (1) -- 1929
Hickory (1) -- 1948
Greensboro Burtner (1) -- 1968
Morehead City (1) -- 2006
Pitt County-39 (1) -- 2005
Raleigh (1) -- 1928
Roanoke Rapids (1) -- 1931
Rocky Mount (1) -- 1973
Sanford (1) -- 1975
State runnerups:
Wilmington (6) -- 1953, 1954, 1955, 1969, 1971, 1992
Rowan County (5) -- 1968, 1970, 1979, 1980, 2000
Wayne County/Goldsboro (5) -- 1963, 1964, 1997, 2002, 2007
Asheboro (4) -- 1935, 1962, 1967, 1975
Whiteville (4) -- 1977, 1986, 1990, 1991
Gastonia (3) -- 1934, 1956, 1972
Shelby (3) -- 1944, 1973, 1974
Laurinburg/Scotland County (3) -- 1945, 1950, 1993
Cherryville (3) -- 1960, 1982, 1999
Caldwell County (3) -- 1985, 2004, 2006
Albemarle (2) -- 1941, 1943
Durham (2) -- 1932, 1947
Graham (2) -- 1951, 1952
Fayetteville/Massey Hill (2) -- 1957, 1958
Johnston County/Selma (2) -- 1949, 1976
Hamlet/Richmond County (2) -- 1961, 1978
Snow Hill (2) -- 1981, 1988
Kernersville (2) -- 1994, 1995
Forest City/Rutherford County (2) -- 1937, 1996
Roanoke Rapids/Harmony (1) -- 1930
Greensboro Burtner (1) -- 1931
Elizabeth City (1) -- 1933
High Point (1) -- 1936
Newell/Charlotte-9 (1) -- 1939
Harnett County (1) -- 1940
Wilson (1) -- 1942
Red Springs (1) -- 1946
Chapel Hill (1) -- 1948
Kannapolis (1) -- 1959
Raleigh (1) -- 1965
Greensboro Cone (1) -- 1966
Charlotte-262 (1) -- 1983
Hope Mills (1) -- 1984
Haw River (1) -- 1987
Mocksville/Davie County (1) -- 1989
Greenville/Pitt County (1) -- 1998
Garner (1) -- 2001
Pineville (1) -- 2003
Lexington (1) -- 2005
unknown (2) -- 1928, 1929
No, Wilson Post 13 has never won an American Legion state final but it did lose to Shelby in the 1942 state championship. Wilson won East championships in 1941 and 1942 and lost in the East finals in 1944 and 1980.
The late, great Snow Hill Post 94 was East champion and state finalist in 1981 and 1988 under legendary head coach James "Rabbit" Fulghum.
N.C. American Legion championship series results (1928-99)
1928 Raleigh 1 d. ...........................unknown
1929 Asheville 70 d. ........................unknown
1930 Gastonia 23 d. Rosemary 2-0
1931 Roanoke Rapids d. Greensboro Burtner 2-1
1932 Gastonia 23 d. Durham 1-0
1933 Gastonia 23 d. Elizabeth City 2-0
1934 Charlotte 9 d. Gastonia 3-1
1935 Gastonia 23 d. Asheboro 3-1
1936 Charlotte 9 d. High Point 3-0
1937 Charlotte 9 d. Forest City 3-1
1938 Gastonia 23 d. Charlotte 9 3-1
1939 Charlotte 9 d. Hamlet 3-1
1940 Albemarle 76 d. Harnett County 3-2
1941 Gastonia 23 d. Albemarle 4-3
1942 Shelby 82 d. Wilson 3-2
1943 Whiteville 137 d. Albemarle 3-0
1944 Albemarle 76 d. Shelby 4-1
1945 Shelby 82 d. Laurinburg 4-0
1946 Kannapolis 115 d. Red Springs 4-0
1947 Kannapolis 115 d. Durham 3-1
1948 Hickory 48 d. Chapel Hill 4-1
1949 Gastonia 23 d. Selma 3-0
1950 Gastonia 23 d. Laurinburg 4-3
1951 Shelby 82 d. Graham 4-3
1952 Kannapolis 115 d. Graham 4-1
1953 Cherryville 100 d. Wilmington 4-3
1954 Gastonia 23 d. Wilmington 4-1
1955 Rowan County 14 d. Wilmington 4-3
1956 Wilmington 10 d. Gastonia 4-3
1957 Shelby 82 d. Massey Hill 4-0
1958 Shelby 82 d. Massey Hill 4-1
1959 Wilmington 10 d. Kannapolis 4-2
1960 Wilmington 10 d. Cherryville 4-1
1961 Kannapolis 115 d. Hamlet 4-1
1962 Wilmington 10 d. Asheboro 4-0
1963 Greensboro Cone 386 d. Goldsboro 4-2
1964 Charlotte 9 d. Goldsboro 4-2
1965 Charlotte 9 d. Raleigh 4-0
1966 Asheboro 45 d. Greensboro Cone 4-3
1967 Greensboro Cone 386 d. Asheboro 4-3
1968 Greensboro Burtner 53 d. Rowan County 4-1
1969 Rowan County 342 d. Wilmington 4-1
1970 Wilmington 10 d. Rowan County 4-2
1971 Rowan County 342 d. Wilmington 4-1
1972 Hamlet 49 d. Gastonia 4-1
1973 Rocky Mount 58 d. Shelby 4-0
1974 Hamlet 49 d. Shelby 3-1
1975 Sanford 382 d. Asheboro.............................
1976 Newell 287 d. Johnston County 4-1
1977 Newell 287 d. Whiteville 4-0
1978 Asheboro 45 d. Hamlet 4-2
1979 Hamlet 49 d. Rowan County 4-3
1980 Wilmington 10 d. Rowan County 4-3
1981 Cherryville 100 d. Snow Hill 4-0
1982 Hamlet 94 d. Cherryville 4-3
1983 Hamlet 49 d. Charlotte-262 4-0
1984 Rowan County 342 d. Hope Mills 4-0
1985 Whiteville 137 d. Caldwell County 4-1
1986 Caldwell County 29 d. Whiteville 4-1
1987 Hamlet 49 d. Haw River 4-0
1988 Kernersville 36 d. Snow Hill 4-3
1989 Whiteville 137 d. Mocksville 4-1
1990 Caldwell County 29 d. Whiteville 3-0
1991 Caldwell County 29 d. Whiteville 4-3
1992 Kernersville 36 d. Wilmington 4-2
1993 Rowan County 342 d. Laurinburg 4-0
1994 Wilmington 10 d. Kernersville 4-1
1995 Wilmington 10 d. Kernersville 4-2
1996 Whiteville 137 d. Rutherford County 4-1
1997 Cherryville 100 d. Wayne County 4-2
1998 Cherryville 100 d. Pitt County 4-3
1999 Garner 232 d. Cherryville 4-1
N.C. American Legion state tournament finals (2000-07)
2000 Caldwell County 7, Rowan County 3
2001 Shelby 4, Garner 3, 12 innings
2002 Rowan County 7, Wayne County 5
2003 Cherryville 7, Pineville 3
2004 Garner 4, Caldwell County 0 (vacated Feb. 2005)
2005 Pitt County-39 4, Lexington 2
2006 Morehead City 7, Caldwell County 6
2007 Cherryville 6, Wayne County 1
State championship winners:
Gastonia (9) -- 1930, 1932, 1933, 1935, 1938, 1941, 1949, 1950, 1954
Newell/Charlotte-9 (8) -- 1934, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1964, 1965, 1976, 1977
Wilmington (8) -- 1956, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1970, 1980, 1994, 1995
Cherryville (6) -- 1953, 1981, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2007
Hamlet/Richmond County (6) -- 1972, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1987
Rowan County (6) -- 1955, 1969, 1971, 1984, 1993, 2002
Shelby (6) -- 1942, 1945, 1951, 1957, 1958, 2001
Caldwell County (4) -- 1986, 1990, 1991, 2000
Kannapolis (4) -- 1946, 1947, 1952, 1961
Whiteville (4) -- 1943, 1985, 1989, 1996
Albemarle (2) -- 1940, 1944
Greensboro Cone (2) -- 1963, 1967
Asheboro (2) -- 1966, 1978
Garner (2) -- 1999, 2004 (vacated Feb. 2005)
Kernersville (2) -- 1988, 1992
Asheville (1) -- 1929
Hickory (1) -- 1948
Greensboro Burtner (1) -- 1968
Morehead City (1) -- 2006
Pitt County-39 (1) -- 2005
Raleigh (1) -- 1928
Roanoke Rapids (1) -- 1931
Rocky Mount (1) -- 1973
Sanford (1) -- 1975
State runnerups:
Wilmington (6) -- 1953, 1954, 1955, 1969, 1971, 1992
Rowan County (5) -- 1968, 1970, 1979, 1980, 2000
Wayne County/Goldsboro (5) -- 1963, 1964, 1997, 2002, 2007
Asheboro (4) -- 1935, 1962, 1967, 1975
Whiteville (4) -- 1977, 1986, 1990, 1991
Gastonia (3) -- 1934, 1956, 1972
Shelby (3) -- 1944, 1973, 1974
Laurinburg/Scotland County (3) -- 1945, 1950, 1993
Cherryville (3) -- 1960, 1982, 1999
Caldwell County (3) -- 1985, 2004, 2006
Albemarle (2) -- 1941, 1943
Durham (2) -- 1932, 1947
Graham (2) -- 1951, 1952
Fayetteville/Massey Hill (2) -- 1957, 1958
Johnston County/Selma (2) -- 1949, 1976
Hamlet/Richmond County (2) -- 1961, 1978
Snow Hill (2) -- 1981, 1988
Kernersville (2) -- 1994, 1995
Forest City/Rutherford County (2) -- 1937, 1996
Roanoke Rapids/Harmony (1) -- 1930
Greensboro Burtner (1) -- 1931
Elizabeth City (1) -- 1933
High Point (1) -- 1936
Newell/Charlotte-9 (1) -- 1939
Harnett County (1) -- 1940
Wilson (1) -- 1942
Red Springs (1) -- 1946
Chapel Hill (1) -- 1948
Kannapolis (1) -- 1959
Raleigh (1) -- 1965
Greensboro Cone (1) -- 1966
Charlotte-262 (1) -- 1983
Hope Mills (1) -- 1984
Haw River (1) -- 1987
Mocksville/Davie County (1) -- 1989
Greenville/Pitt County (1) -- 1998
Garner (1) -- 2001
Pineville (1) -- 2003
Lexington (1) -- 2005
unknown (2) -- 1928, 1929
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