Rowan Legion keeps rolling
June 8th, 2007 Posted in American Legion baseballReported by Will Robinson:
Rowan won a thriller over Randolph County Legion tonight at Newman Park, 7-6, on a 9th inning, two-out, bases loaded hit by Joseph Kesler. Rowan improved to 8-1 on the young year with the tough victory over a solid Randolph County team.
Trey Holmes started the 9th inning rally with a double, followed by walks to Ross Steedly and Micah Jarrett to load the bases ahead of Kesler’s game winner. Kesler was the player of the game, as he paced Rowan with three hits, three RBIs, and a run scored. After the game, Coach Jim Gantt stated how good things happen when you take a professional approach to hitting, and Kesler showed that type of hitting maturity when we interviewed him. About the winning hit, Kelser stated “Well he threw the first two pitches by me, and I just choked up - tried to put it in play. Got it into right and everything worked out good.” Good ideed as the hit bested an excellent Randolph Legion beat that had already beat defending conference champ Kannapolis Legion by 25 runs earlier in the year.
Lee Dupre got the win in relief for Rowan after finishing the top of the ninth for Matt Hall. Hall was tremendous from the fifth through the ninth, in relief of starting pitcher Corbin Shrive. All three Rowan pitchers benefited from outstanding defense from the left side of the infield - shortstop Justin Roland and third baseman Weston Church. Church (3 runs scored), and Ross Steedly (2 runs scored) were in the middle of the Rowan hitting attack all day long.
Rowan is on a roll, also beating South Rowan Legion earlier in the week on the road, and look to continue their momentum in a road game Saturday night against Wilkes Legion, before returning home to Newman Field on Sunday to face Statesville Legion.
Rowan Legion 2007 season photo and video highlights are posted on the Rowan Legion LocalReplay TeamCard, and more will be posted as they are uploaded by fans.
