Day Five: Cherryville, NC

A few of the guys, Donna Williamon, and I went to Calvin Heights Baptist Church to worship. It was a great service and it always a great experience to have the opportunity to worship at a church on the road.

Following lunch and a brief break back at the hotel, we headed out to Shelby, NC. I wanted the guys to see Keeter Stadum at Veterans Field. In 2008, we participated in the Southeast Regional in Shelby at this stadium It was an amazing experience back then as we played in front of at least 6,000 people in round two of the Regional. American Legion Baseball just recently awarded Shelby with the World Series in 2011 through 2014. We were greeted at the stadium by Jim Horn, who was the co-chair of the Regional Tournament, and Randall Davis, who along with his wife Shirleen, were our hosts in 2008. They gave us a tour of the facility and talked to us about the changes the Stadium will undergo in preparation for the World Series. The people of Shelby were great two years ago and Mr. Horn and Mr. Davis were very kind to meet us at the Stadium on short notice so that our guys could experience one of the best places to play American Legion Baseball.


After our tour, we headed to Cherryville, NC. Our game was later that evening but Cherryville Post 100 was hosting Shelby Post 82 and I wanted the guys to experience one of the best rivalries in American Legion Baseball. I told them to imagine if Dothan Post 12 and Post 34 were less than 20 miles apart like Shelby and Cherryville are. We arrived in the sixth inning in a game that Cherryville went on to win. The Cherryville people were incredible hosts and it was fun to sit amongst the Cherryville fans right behind home plate. I had to give a rules clinic to a fan from Cherryville while we were up there so that was entertaining as well.

Following the game, we left to grab a bite to eat at McDonald's before returning to the field for our 7:00 game with Cherryville Post 100. In the 2003 Southeast Regional, Cherryville defeated us to advance to the American Legion World Series. Cherryville was the runner-up that year at the World Series. The people of Cherryville really get behind their team and it was fun to be able to be a part of it. If you ever go to a game at Cherryville, I highly recommend the Ribeye Sandwich. It was awesome. However don't be suprised when you get it. In Alabama (and everywhere else) the Cherryville Ribeye Sandwich is called a Fried Bologna Sandwich.

Tuscaloosa (AL) Post 34 - 17
Cherryville (NC) Post 100 - 4

Coming off of the huge win versus Shelby along with other important Area Games looming, Cherryville was not able to be full strength on the mound. Post 34 defeated Post 100 17-4 in a game that was shortened in the 8th inning due to the ten run rule. Blake Beck was stellar on the mound for Post 34 picking up his fourth win of the season. Beck pitched all eight innings allowing only 5 hits and 3 walks. Beck struck out three in the complete game win.

Post 34 pounded out 21 hits in picking up their 20th win of the season. Post 34 scored in 6 of the 8 innings and every starter had at least one hit. Hitters for Post 34 include: Chase Fields (2-4 with a single and a double); Tanner Ashcraft (3-3 with three singles); Cameron Carlisle (3-4 with two singles and a double); Trey Williamon (4-5 with two singles and two doubles); Sam Kelley (2-6 with two singles); Gregg Adcock (2-6 with a single and a double); Wood Collins (2-4 with two singles); and Jared Pratt (2-3 with two singles).