Wayne County Post 11 opens play Tuesday against top-ranked Rowan County in game 3 of the 2023 N.C. Senior American Legion state baseball tournament at Campbell University. Post 11 is making its second state-tournament appearance in the last three years and 11th overall in program history. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
BUIES CREEK — Well known for its storied baseball history of sending players to the minors and major leagues, Wayne County has one thing missing on its resume — a senior American Legion state title.
Empty in its previous 10 trips, Post 11 starts its 11th quest Tuesday.
Wayne County squares off against No. 1-ranked Rowan County in opening-round play of the 2023 NC Senior American Legion state tournament. First pitch is 4 p.m. at Jim Perry Stadium on the Campbell University campus.
“We’re glad to be there [and] it’s going to be a fun tournament,” said WC infielder Mason Moffett. “Everybody’s just got to do their role [and] we’ll be good. We’ve got a chance to do something really special.”
Area I champ Pitt County (16-9 overall) and Cleveland County (24-9) meet in the opener at 10 a.m. Defending state champion Wilmington (16-2) and High Point (17-4) take the field at 1 p.m.
The nightcap pits Fuquay-Varina (23-3) against Cherryville (22-2).
The survivor of the double-elimination tournament, which concludes Saturday, advances to the Southeast Regional in Asheboro.
Ironically, Post 11 is no stranger to the eight-team field.
Coach Adam Pate composed a regular-season schedule that included contests against Rowan, Cherryville, Pitt, Fuquay-Varina, Wilmington and Cleveland County. His team logged a 4-5 worksheet in those outings.
“We’ve been fortunate to see everybody [except High Point], which makes us feel good,” Pate said. “You learn about them offensively and defensively, but at the end of the day all of that kind of goes to the wayside. You’ve just got to execute when you get on the field.
“We’re excited and looking forward to it.”
Wayne County has played in six state finals — most recently in 2011.
Three losses have occurred since NCSAL officials switched from a best-of-seven series to either a double-elimination or pool-play format in 2000. Post 11 fell to Greensboro Cone (1963), Charlotte (1964) and Cherryville (1997) in series play — each by a 4-2 result.
Rowan defeated Wayne County for the 2002 state crown. Cherryville knocked off Post 11 in the 2007 and 2011 championship meetings.
“I think we’ve got a good team, going to try to make a good run at the state tournament like we tried to do in 2021,” said Post 11 pitcher Will Pennington. “I feel like if our hitters can give us a few runs, our pitching staff can take us the whole way.”
2023 NC Senior American Legion
State Baseball Tournament
(at Jim Perry Stadium, Campbell University)
Tuesday, July 25 games
Game 1: Pitt County (16-9) vs. Cleveland County (24-9), 10 a.m.
Game 2: Wilmington (16-2) vs. High Point (17-4), 1 p.m.
Game 3: Wayne County (30-6) vs. Rowan County (36-5), 4 p.m.
Game 4: Fuquay-Varina (23-3) vs. Cherryville (22-2), 7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 26 games
Game 5: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 1 p.m.
Game 7: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 8: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 27 games
Game 9: Game 7 loser vs. Game 5 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 8 loser vs. Game 6 winner, 4:30 p.m.
Game 11: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 28 games
Semifinals
Game 12: Game 11 loser vs. Game 10 winner, 4:30 p.m.
Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 29 games
Championship
Game 14: Game 12 winner vs. Game 13 winner, Noon
Game 15: If necessary, 3 p.m.
