Thursday, October 1, 2026
®
The World's Local News Source®
Cherryville, NC (WNN) - Cherryville picked up two Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A conference wins this week over West Lincoln to improve to 12-0 on the season. The Ironmen took over sole possession of first place after Friday’s win, following a Burns Bulldog’s 7-6 loss on Thursday to Stuart W. Cramer. While a 12-0 overall and 8-0 Conference starts are great confidence boosters; the Ironmen cannot afford to let their guard down. The battle for the SPC crown is heating up with four teams solidly in the mix. Cherryville is currently on top at 8-0, followed closely by Burns 9-1, Stuart W. Cramer 7-1, and East Gaston at 5-2. Cherryville will face East Gaston in their next two games, scheduled for March 31st in Mt. Holly and April 2nd in Cherryville. The Warriors could really muddle the standings if they find a way to take down the Ironmen. After that, Cherryville will travel to Florida for 3 games in the Disney Spring Training at Disney Wide World of Sports, followed by a couple of two-game series with Burns and Stuart Cramer. By the third week of April, the conference picture should be much more in focus.
The Ironmen added another victory by the 10-run rule when they defeated the Rebels 13-1 on Tuesday. Brock Bumgardner picked up his 5th win of the season. The starting pitcher allowed 1 run, 3 hits, 0 walks, and struck out 6 over 4 innings of work. Camden Williams pitched one inning of flawless relief as he allowed 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 walks, and struck out all three batters he faced. Cherryville scored 13 runs on 10 hits. Bumgardner went 3 for 4, hitting a triple and two singles, drove in 2 RBIs, and scored a run. Aaron Heavner collected 3 hits and drove in 4 RBIs. Chandler Wooten stole 3 bases. Cole Carpenter took the loss for the Rebels. He gave up 7 runs (4 earned), 5 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 3 over 2 1/3 innings. Ryder Dellinger led the way at the plate for West Lincoln, going 2 for 2 and adding 1 RBI.
Brock Bumgardner started things off with a literal bang at the top of the second as he bounced a triple off the outfield wall. Chandler Wooten hit into a fielder’s choice, Bumgardner attempted to beat the throw home, but was tagged out at the plate. Wooten stole second, then stole third. Aaron Heavner reached on an error by the third baseman, and Wooten takes advantage and scores. Canon Whitesides hit a line shot over the head of the left fielder for a double, bringing Heavner home for a 2-0 lead. Cherryville exploded in the top of the third with 7 runs to take a 9-0 lead. Kenan Fowler singled, Parker Anderson walked, and Talon Dalton reached on an error. The bases were juiced when Brock Bumgardner put the barrel on the ball for a deep 2-run double, scoring Fowler and Anderson. An error on the throw created an opportunity for Dalton also to score. Colton Robinson came in as a courtesy runner and scored as Chandler Wooten doubled. Davin Digh smoked a double to deep outfield, followed by Aaron Heavner’s line drive for a double that scored courtesy runner Karter Willis. Chadler Whitesides grounded into a fielder’s choice. Bryson Withers singled to score Heavner, Kenan Fowler reached on an error, and Parker Anderson singled to score Whitesides. The Ironmen added another run at the top of the fourth. Chandler Wootan was hit by a pitch and then stole second base. Aaron Heavner singled to score Wooten. West Lincoln got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Hayes Kiser singled and later advanced to third on a throwing error. Ryder Dellinger singled to score Kiser. Cherryville plated 3 more runs in the top of the fifth. Talon Dalton walked. Brock Bumgardner singled, Chandler Wooten popped up into a fielder’s choice, scoring Dalton. Davin Digh was hit by a pitch, Wooten advanced on a wild pitch, and courtesy runner Karter Willis did as well. Aaron Heavner’s double scored Wooten and Willis. Camden Williams relieved Brock Bumgardner in the bottom of the fifth. He closed out the game with three straight strikeouts to preserve the win by run rule.
The Ironmen increased their winning streak to 12 after a 9-4 victory over the visiting West Lincoln Rebels on Friday night. The loss dropped the Rebels to 4-7 overall and 3-5 in the conference as Cherryville improved to 12-0 overall and 8-0 in the conference. Parker Anderson got the start and the win, going 2 2/3 innings, giving up 5 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, and striking out 4. In relief, Aaron Heavner allowed 3 runs (2 earned), 3 hits, 2 walks, and struck out 4 batters. Hayes Kiser took the loss for West Lincoln. He gave up 8 runs (5 earned), 6 hits, 3 walks, and struck out 7 batters. Cherryville’s defense turned 2 double plays. At the plate, Brock Bumgardner went 2 for 3 and knocked in 3 RBIs. Parker Anderson went 1 for 4, scored 2 runs, drove in 1 RBI, and stole a base. Kenan Fowler also stole a base. The Rebels had 9 hits with Kenan Stewart going 3 for 4 and Hayes Kiser going 2 for 4.
West Lincoln took the early lead at 1-0 at the top of the first. Hayes Kiser singled to left field. Ryder Dellinger singled to left field, and Kenan Stewart singled to score Dalton Willis. The Ironmen took the lead back in the bottom of the first. Kenan Fowler walked, Brock Bumgardner also got a free pass, and then Chandler Wooten doubled on a line drive to left field that scored Fowler. Davin Digh grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Bumgardner. Cherryville added another run in the bottom of the third. Parker Anderson reached on an error by the second baseman, and Brock Bumgardner singled to left field to score Anderson. The Rebels narrowed the lead down to 3-2 at the top of the fourth. Kenan Stewart sent a line drive to center field for a single, Caden Abernathy attempted a sacrifice bunt and reached on an error, and Grae Ponder bunted into a fielder’s choice to score Stewart. The Ironmen put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth, going ahead 8-2. Canon Whitesides walked, Kenan Fowler singled, Parker Anderson singled a line drive to right field to score the courtesy runner, Bryson Yarbro. Brock Bumgardner hit a line drive to center field to score Fowler and Anderson. Talon Dalton hit a line drive single to right field; Chandler Wooten reached on an error by the first baseman, allowing Bumgardner and Dalton to score. In the bottom of the fifth, Heavner singled to right field, Canon Whitesides sacrificed, and Kenan Fowler reached on an error by the shortstop, scoring courtesy runner Colton Robinson. West Lincoln’s rally attempt at the top of the sixth fell short. Kenan Stewart hit a line drive to left field, Caden Abernathy walked, and Stewart advanced to third on a passed ball as Abernathy went to second. Chase Driscoll sacrificed a fly ball to center field that scored Stewart. Grae Ponder sent a line drive to left field, and Abernathy scored after Masyn Lail took a strike looking. They were unsuccessful in scoring any more runs.
For further WNN articles and news stories, visit https://wisenewsnetwork.com
For more WNN video news stories, visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork
Contact WNN at newsdesk@wisenewsnetwork.com
North Carolina Press Association Member
