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Burlington, NC (WNN) - The Cherryville Ironmen fell 3-2 to the Rosewood Eagles in Burlington, NC during the deciding game 3 of the NCHSAA 2A State Baseball Championship Series Thursday evening, May 28, 2026. The win gave Rosewood its first-ever State Championship in baseball. The Eagles were runners-up in their only other state finals appearance in 2019. Cherryville’s last appearance in the finals was in 2022, and they finished as runners-up that year. Both teams end the season with 25-6 records.
Ironmen coach Scotty Heavner switched up the batting order, attempting to capitalize on Rosewood’s strategy of not pitching to Brock Bumgardner. Instead of his usual third spot, he was moved to the lead-off position. The idea was that if they kept walking Bumgardner, the top of the order would be guaranteed a base runner; if they pitched to him, he would have more plate appearances. He also brought in Maddox Carrigan as the designated hitter. Parker Anderson started on the mound for the Ironmen and pitched 3 innings, allowing 3 runs, 5 hits, walking 2, and striking out 2. Aaron Heavner was effective in relief as he allowed 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 walks, and 2 strikeouts over 4 innings pitched. Cherryville scored 2 runs off 5 hits. Parker Anderson went 2-3 and scored a run, and Canon Whitesides went 1-2 with 1 RBI. Ed Gardner earned the win for the Eagles, allowing 1 run, on 4 hits, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts over 5 innings pitched. Rosewood scored 3 runs on 6 hits. Jacob Bond went 1-2 with 2 RBIs. Jack Adams went 1-2 with 1 RBI and 1 stolen base.
Rosewood took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Robbie Boren and Jack Adams walked. Chandler Wooten threw out Adams at second base as he attempted to steal. Jacob Bond tripled, driving in Boren. The Eagles added 2 more runs in the third inning to lead 3-0. After one out, Rosewood had third base hits. Robbie Boren, Graham Lassiter, and Jack Adams collected singles, with Boren scoring on the last one. Jacob Bond hit a sacrifice fly to score Lassiter, and after Conner Waters singled, Camden Rye was out on a third strike foul. The Ironmen scored their first run in the fifth inning. Parker Anderson hit a single with 1 out. Aaron Heavner also singled. Canon Whitesides hit a sacrifice to score Anderson. Cherryville had a rally going in the sixth inning. Brock Bumgardner worked a walk, Kenan Fowler singled, and Talon Dalton then hit into a fielder’s choice off a check swing. Davin Digh walked to load the bases. A great diving play by Rosewood first baseman Conner Waters to stop a sure base hit ended the inning as he threw out the runner. Trailing 3-1, Cherryville began one last rally in the final inning.
Cherryville Ironmen Head Coach Scotty Heavner vs Rosewood Eagles - Game 3 - 2A NCHSAA Championship State Tournament - Burlington, NC - May 28, 2026
Mason Beam (WNN)
Aaron Heavner walked, Canon Whitesides singled, and a wild pitch advanced the runners. Brock Bumgardner was intentionally walked with 1 out to load the bases. Kenan Fowler popped up to right field, pinch runner Jayden Adams started for home, but was sent back to third. In the meantime, pinch runner Bryson Yarbro was over halfway to third. He retreated toward second, allowing Adams to score, but was eventually tagged for the final out. Rosewood held on to a 3-2 victory and captured the NCHSAA 2A State Championship. Cherryville Head Coach Scotty Heavner has been considering retiring after this season. If he does, he will end his career with 397 career wins. A 25-6 record and State Champion Runners-up would not be a bad note on which to end a stellar career.
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