Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - As we roll into the final two days of the tournament, some aspects of each game will seem more like a chess match between coaches. Pitch counts will come into play; there is a tier system in place that determines how many days a pitcher needs rest between games based on how many pitches he has thrown. That goes out the window now, with this being the next-to-last day of the tournament. Still, a pitcher can only throw 105 pitches in a game and must then be relieved by another pitcher.
At this point, a coach begins to stress over whether he has saved enough pitchers to use in this game and potentially the next. There is even a possibility that a team might still have three games left, depending on the outcome of all the games left. This tournament has already provided some pitching gems and a display of run production. These final two days should prove even more exciting.
Post 70's coach giving the players a pep talk - Day 4 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 29th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
After the dust has settled tonight, we will be down to our final teams—either two or three, depending on the outcome of the final game. Let's find out which teams will still be standing after today.
Today's action will see one of these teams move onto the final day, and the other will see their season end. Both teams played well throughout the week, and this should be a great battle. Each has a rich tradition of success, and two worthy opponents are slugging it out to keep their season and hopes of a state title alive. After a long, grueling season, the players are exactly where they had envisioned they would be at this point. The only thing they might change would be sitting through this weather delay that has pushed back the first pitch of this contest. We'll get to the action as soon as the weather and field allows.
The beginning of the game might have been delayed due to weather; however, there was no delay in Rowan County jumping out to an early lead. Cole Blevins jumped on the sixth pitch of the game, giving it a ride over the wall in right field for a home run. Marshall Faw hits a deep fly ball to center field, which results in a triple. Carter Durant is walked, then Brice Knox bunts and loads the bases when he outruns the throw.
Rowan County Post 342' #4 Marshall Faw - Day 4 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 29th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
After striking out Luke Ponczka, things get rough for Wilmington's starting pitcher, Jess Bowling. He hits Drew Pegram with a pitch that scores Faw. Cam Williamson hits a two-run single, followed by a bunt single from Eli Graham. Bowling will pitch out of the jam, yet Rowan County had stormed out to a 4-0 lead.
Wilmington gets a chance to answer back. TJ Ziermann hits a leadoff single. Camden Croom hits into a fielder's choice, but the throw from second to first on a double play attempt is off target, and Croom heads into second. The third baseman cannot handle Tanner Berry's ground ball, and a throwing error on the left fielder will score Croom as Berry reached second base. The first ends 4-1, in favor of Rowan County.
Marshall Faw opens the second for Rowan with a single, and Carter Durant's double puts runners at second and third with no one out. Faw takes advantage of a wild pitch and heads for home. A walk by Brice Fox with no outs placed runners on the corners, mistakes are beginning to haunt Wilmington as a pick off attempt at first results in a throwing error by the pitcher, and then an error by the first baseman allows Durant to score.
Luke Ponczka walks, Knox scores on a wild pitch, Cam Williamson walks, runners at first and second with one out. Eli Graham's single to center field loads the bases. Jess Bowling has already thrown 59 pitches, more than halfway to the 105-max allowed per game. Gaige Scruggs flies out, but not deep enough for the runners to tag and score. Cole Blevins flies out to leave the bases loaded, yet Post 342 extended the lead 7-1.
Post 342's #9 Cameron Williamson batting - Day 4 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 29th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Camden Croom homers in the bottom of the third to bring Wilmington one run closer at 7-2. On top of the seventh, Rowan County added some insurance runs as Drew Pegram walked, Cam Williamson singled, and Eli Graham reached on a bunt to load the bases. Cole Blevins drives a three-run double to center field to push the lead to 10-2.
Wilmington was never able to overcome Rowan's early lead, and they were eliminated. Rowan County scored 10 runs on 11 hits and made three errors. Wilmington scored two runs on five hits and committed two errors. Rowan County Post 342 advances to Wednesday's final round. They will play at 4 pm.
Aiden Taylor started the game with a leadoff double for Garner. A one-out single from John Lupienski scores Taylor. The Garner Nationals have the early 1-0 lead. Garner adds another run in the top of the second as Jace Jones ripped a triple to center field and is driven in by Ajay Rychcik's line drive to right field. Garner 2-0 in the middle of the second inning.
Asheville gets back into the game in the bottom of the fourth. A pitch hits Caden Davidson, who goes to second on a wild pitch. Micah Simpson lines a single to right field. After a strikeout, Luke Nesbitt brings Davidson around on a sacrifice fly. Garner 2, Asheville 1.
If you like a low-scoring defensive battle, this was your game type. At the top of the fifth saw Aiden Taylor reach on a one out single, Carrick Ryan safely takes first on an error, a passed ball puts runners at second and third. John Lupienski is out on an infield pop-up to second base. Now with two outs and runners still at second and third, Cole Norris is intentionally walked. Bases are loaded with two outs when Hayden Fones flies out to leave the bases loaded. Garner misses a chance to blow the game open.
During the sixth inning, Garner again tries to add some insurance runs to their small lead. Jace Jones leads off with a single, and Landon Berry lines a single to left field. Both runners advance on the ensuing wild pitch, followed by Ajay Rychcik's walk to load the bases with no one out. Purvis grounds into a fielder's choice, scoring pinch runner Luca Pruden, and a wild pitch brings Berry home. Their lead extends to 4-1 with bases loaded and no outs.
Carrick Ryan grounds into a double play, with runners at first and third. A wild pitch gives Purvis the green light to add another run, 5-1. John Lupienski keeps the threat alive as he line drives a base hit to left field. A strikeout ends the top of the sixth.
Asheville launched a comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Jordan Brown got on board with a single. With two outs, Caden Davidson knocked a two-run home run, and the score was 5-3. Unfortunately, for Asheville, that is as close as they will get. Garner wins, and both teams stay alive. They will join Rowan County in the final round tomorrow.
Asheville Post 70 players onlooking the game - Day 4 - Legion Senior Tournament - Fraley Field - Cherryville, NC - July 29th, 2025
Mason Beam (WNN)
Garner was able to score five runs on 10 hits and made one error. Asheville scored three runs on seven hits and made one error.
Rowan County, Garner, and Asheville will all advance to the Championship game on Wednesday. Although all three teams are 3-1 in tournament play, Asheville gets an automatic bid to the Championship game. Garner and Rowan will battle it out at 10 am on Wednesday, with the winner facing Asheville at 1 pm for the State Championship and a trip to the Southeast Regionals.
Bracket thru day 5 (final day)
Post 100 - WNN
Fans should be in for a great conclusion to this year's tournament. Come out to Fraley Field, grab a hot dog or hamburger, sit back, and enjoy some exciting baseball.
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