HAMLET — American Legion Post 49 baseball returns to Richmond County this week after nearly a decade and a half, and with it, a burst of talent according to head coach Chip Gordon.
The much-anticipated return of Post 49 playing at storied Memorial Park in Hamlet will be on Friday, but the team will open its season Wednesday at UNC-Pembroke against Wayne County Post 11.
Holding its first handful of practices this week, the Post 49 team is made up of 19 players from Anson, Richmond Senior and Union Pines high schools, Marlboro Academy and one player who currently plays for Charleston Southern University.
“I’m excited to get the season going,” Gordon said following Tuesday’s practice. “We have a lot of guys on this team who are talented and bring a lot to the game of baseball. This team has realistic goals we want to achieve this summer.”
“There are some areas where we have a long way to go, but we’ll get there,” he continued. “We’re going into the opener expecting to win, but we also want to knock some rust off and build cohesiveness amongst the players.”
Gordon noted the team won’t have its full roster on hand this week because of high school playoffs and vacations, but he hopes to use the two non-conference games against Post 11 as a “measuring stick” to see where the team is before it enters Area 2 conference play.
Two of those players who may be unavailable are Union Pines’ Jack Lange (middle infielder) and Ethan McKay (pitcher/outfielder), who are in the NCHSAA 3A state playoffs. Both high school seniors are committed to UNC-Greensboro.
Post 49’s pitching staff will be a revolving door of players, Gordon said, but expects a handful of players to emerge as starters — Josh Griggs (Charleston Southern), Harley Honeycutt (Richmond) and Trace Ricketts (Anson).
“Josh brings college experience and leadership, which will certainly help set the tone,” Gordon said. “Harley and Trace both have some good stuff on the mound and they can expect to pitch a lot of innings for us. They’ll be our 1-2-3 punch.”
Josh Griggs delivers a pitch during a live scrimmage during Tuesday’s practice at Memorial Park. (Kyle Pillar)
Out of the bullpen, Gordon will also use players like Ra’Nes Little (Anson), Ra’Nik Little (Anson), Jacob Lomax (Anson) and David O’Neal (Richmond).
“We’re not going to overpitch anyone,” Gordon explained. “We will pitch to matchups based on what we know our guys can and can’t do. The goal is to put our pitchers in the place to have the most success.”
Kole Dutton (Anson) will serve as the battery mate for the pitchers, while Jake Clemmons and Reid Edwards (both Marlboro Academy) could see some time behind the plate.
Dotting the infield will be a host of players depending on who’s pitching, Gordon said, adding that “there are a lot of players who are interchangeable” at several defensive positions.
Ricketts and Griggs can play shortstop, O’Neal and Edwards will see time at third, while Honeycutt, Clemmons and Tristan Crowley (Marlboro Academy) will hold down first base. Ayden Allen (Anson) and Dexter Jones (Anson) will round out the infield at second.
The outfield positions will also see several players rotate in and out, among them Ra’Nes and Ra’Nik Little, Joshua Lomax (Anson) and Kenneth Brown (Anson). Antonio Heins and Cooper Sessoms will also look to make an impact for Post 49.
“The key to getting into the lineup is being able to play anywhere and helping the team out,” Gordon said. “If a player can fill the need at a position, then he will see playing time. No one has a set position right now.”
Gordon said the “biggest upside” to the team is that the majority of players are underclassmen who will be eligible to return in future seasons. Knowing that, he’s hoping to mold a strong core of players this summer and have some fun and success along the way.
“Our ultimate goal is to win our conference, or place in the top two spots so we can compete in the state tournament,” Gordon closed. “There’s a lot of talent we want to grow, and we’re looking forward to winning a lot of games this summer.”
Jake Clemmons makes contact in front of catcher Reid Edwards at Tuesday’s practice. (Kyle Pillar)
Post 49 will play two non-conference games this week, both against Wayne County Post 11. The season opener will be Wednesday at UNC-Pembroke (6:30 p.m.), followed by the home opener on Friday at 7 p.m.
