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SHELBY - It’s always nice to get hits during the course of a baseball game, but Randolph County Post 45, who recorded a number of hits Thursday night in its opening game of the American Legion World Series against Massachusetts, showed runs can be scored without the benefit of a lot of hits. After Massachusetts tallied three runs on just one hit, Post 45 erased a one-run deficit by scoring six runs in the sixth inning while registering just two hits for an 8-4 victory over Shrewsbury Post 397 at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium. The win lifts Post 45 to 38-10 on the season and gives it a 1-0 record in pool play. Post 45 is off Friday and returns to action Saturday at 4 p.m. against North Dakota, which lost its opener to Idaho. Massachusetts also has Friday off and will return to action Saturday to play Idaho. Trailing 3-2 in the top of the sixth inning, Post 45 combined six walks, two hits, a crucial error and a wild pitch into six runs, turning that one-run deficit into an 8-3 lead. “Things kind of evened out,” Post 45 coach Ronnie Pugh said. “We took advantage of our situation like they took advantage of theirs.We’ll take it. It goes down as a win.“ Colby Hammer started the inning when his bunt was misplayed by pitcher Nick McDonald. That opened the floodgates for Post 45, which showed a lot of patience at the plate. Blake Marsh walked and Easton Morgan pushed perfect bunt down toward third that resulted in a base hit to load the bases. Braxton Davis walked on four pitches to force in a run and tie the game. A wild pitch scored Blake Marsh and with one out, Harris Jackson’s force out pushed across another run. Trevor Marsh’s third hit, a run-scoring double, gave Post 45 another run and four more walks forced in a run with another scoring on a wild pitch. “I was really pleased with the damage we did that inning,” Pugh said. “Most of that came with two outs.“ Dawson Davis earned the win for Post 45. He hurled 1 ⅔ innings of shutout relief after taking over for Bryson Hamlet. Hamlet allowed just the one hit and two earned runs. He walked four, struck out two and hit two batters. “Dawson did a great job,” Pugh said. “We weren’t going to send him out for the sixth, but we had the big inning and he throws strikes. That worked out well for us.“ Post 45 now has the day off, a day Pugh said will be used to rest, hit in the cage and watch the two games that begin at 4 p.m. This is the third straight trip to the World Series for Post 45, which has had the bye on the second day all three years. In 2017, Post 45 won its first game. Last year, Post 45 lost its first game. “We experienced it both,” Pugh said. “Last year, it just seemed like a long time from the loss to the next game. If I had to pick a day to be off, it would be (Saturday). You get a game under your belt and now we will probably watch.“ Post 45 scored quickly as with one away in the first, Trevor Marsh, Spencer Lanier and Austin Curry singled with Curry’s hit scoring Marsh. A hit by TJ Morgera in the first — the only hit Shrewsbury would get through six full innings — a walk, two stolen bases and a ground out pushed across the tying run in the bottom of the first. Post 45′s Braxton Davis, however, gave Randolph County the lead right back with a solo home run in the second to make it 2-1. It was the sixth home run hit on the day, three more than were hit in all of last year’s World Series. “They were flat ready to play tonight,” Pugh said of his team. “They were wanting to get on the field.“ Post 397 added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings without the benefit of a hit. In the fourth, a hit batter, a walk, a throwing error and a wild pitch tied the game at 2-2 and in the fifth, a walk, two stolen bases and a ground out gave Massachusetts its first lead of the game at 3-2. That set up the wild sixth inning for Post 45. Trevor Marsh allowed a meaningless run in the seventh for the final score. Trevor Marsh had three of Post 45′s eight hits. Easton Morgan had two. “We hit the ball hard all night,” Pugh said. “We had some real quality at-bats.“ Shrewsbury, which was making its second trip to the World Series in the past three years, finished with just three hits with Morgera getting two. Post 397 did record six stolen bases in the contest. Credits to Courier Tribune

ASHEBORO— If there is one thing new Uwharrie Charter Academy Athletic Director Chad Douglas wants the community to know it’s that it’s a new day at UCA. Douglas was recently named to oversee the athletic departments at the middle school and high school levels. “We are focused on moving forward,” said Douglas, who was also named interim COO for the school. “We have put everything behind us and It’s not very tough because of the people I have with me. What we can focus on is the future and how we want it to look. We are excited about what’s going on.” Lee Kennell, who was recently named the head varsity baseball coach, is still handling athletics at the middle school and Brad Monroe, the varsity boys basketball coach, is still the athletic director for the high school. Douglas will oversee all the athletics in the entire school system. UCA is still waiting the results of an SBI investigation into the possible embezzlement of school funds by a former employee. “I am a pretty straight forward guy and we will be transparent in going forward,” said Douglas, 46, who has worked in the school’s finance department as well as being involved with human resources and coaching. “We will keep everything in the open and keep everything above board with UCA athletics.” Superintendent Heather Vuncannon said she is looking forward to see what Douglas gets done. 'One of his strengths is that he is a strong communicator,' Vuncannon said. 'He's consistent, he's positive and he seems to really want to advocate for all the sports teams. He is a good people-person and good with building relationships with people, whether that's with coaches, athletes, other athletic directors, parents or coaches from other schools. 'Another strong suit he has is that he was a past PTO president in school. He knows how to find resources for instructional purposes and athletics. I am looking forward to see what he will do.' Douglas coached the first girls soccer team at UCA and will return to that role this season. He grew up in Anson County and went to East Carolina University. “Every coach will focus on the student, whether that is to get them into college or a trade school,” Douglas said. “Sports can bring camaraderie, team work, more than just winning. It’s being a part of something and doing something bigger than what you can do or be on your own.” Chris Waddell, who led the UCA wrestling team to a state championship last year, will act as an assistant athletic director, making sure all the teams are in compliance with NCHSAA rules and regulations. Douglas said Waddell “is a great resource to have on our staff.” Douglas said he is going to start a Booster Club, which the school hasn’t had prior. Douglas said he hopes to begin a relationship with Asheboro City and Randolph County schools. Currently, the UCAMS teams are traveling quite a distance to compete in sports. Douglas said he has already reached out to Randolph County Athletic Director Edwina Ashworth and plans on talking to Asheboro City school officials as well. “We are more than willing and we would love to play some folks here,” Douglas said. “I know what the perception is, but I can honestly say I have never recruited anyone from any school. Something I hold higher above anything else and that’s my integrity.” Douglas said communication will be key, communication with his coaching staff and communication with the parents. “You got to have parent involvement,” Douglas said. “If you don’t have your parents’ backing, you won’t be able to do much. We have to have as much communication as we possibly can have.”

UCA Athletic Pass Sale! All passes are for the entire year, except for the seasonal passes. Passes are good for all home middle school and high school athletic events.... Regular Season games only! Adult Passes: $75 Student Passes: $40 Senior passes (Ages 65 +) :$50 Seasonal Passes: $40 Sponsorship Passes: Pay at least $500 to get your name or business on our sponsorship banner in our Central Gym, that last for 2 years! 3 passes are included in this deal. These passes, and signs last for 2 years. Please contact Brad Monroe to become a sponsor, purchase tickets or ask any other questions you may have.