By Ann Threatt

For The Newberry Observer

Chapin-Newberry was crowned the 2015 American Legion state champion. Team members are, first row, Sean Riehm (Dutch Fork High) and Blake Smith (Dutch Fork High). Second row are Peyton Spangler (Clinton High), Zack Ziesing (Dutch Fork High), Duncan Crotwell (MCHS), Kevis Burton (NHS), Danton Hyman (MCHS), Tristan Smaltz (Clinton High), Landon Allison (Clinton High/Spartanburg Methodist) and Delshun Young, (Clinton High). Third row are Justin Hawkins (MCHS/USC Sumter), Josh Haney (MC High/USC Sumter), Trey Huber (MC High), Andrew Livingston (NHS), Corey Stone (MCHS), Patrick Yoder (NHS), Ryne Huggins (NHS) and Ryan Stoudemire (MCHS).
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_group-july-29-state-tournament-403.jpgChapin-Newberry was crowned the 2015 American Legion state champion. Team members are, first row, Sean Riehm (Dutch Fork High) and Blake Smith (Dutch Fork High). Second row are Peyton Spangler (Clinton High), Zack Ziesing (Dutch Fork High), Duncan Crotwell (MCHS), Kevis Burton (NHS), Danton Hyman (MCHS), Tristan Smaltz (Clinton High), Landon Allison (Clinton High/Spartanburg Methodist) and Delshun Young, (Clinton High). Third row are Justin Hawkins (MCHS/USC Sumter), Josh Haney (MC High/USC Sumter), Trey Huber (MC High), Andrew Livingston (NHS), Corey Stone (MCHS), Patrick Yoder (NHS), Ryne Huggins (NHS) and Ryan Stoudemire (MCHS). Courtesy photos

Chapin-Newberry ended the tournament with a season record of 23-0 which they will carry to the Southeastern Regional in Asheboro, N.C., next week. They will join the state champions from North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Alabama.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_july-29-state-tournament-387.jpgChapin-Newberry ended the tournament with a season record of 23-0 which they will carry to the Southeastern Regional in Asheboro, N.C., next week. They will join the state champions from North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Alabama. Courtesy photos

SUMTER — Chapin-Newberry made it known they were going to win the state championship when they scored a total of 29 runs on 37 hits and allowed their opponents (Sumter and Florence) just four runs on 16 hits in the last two games of the American Legion state tournament.

All during the games the rally cry from the dugout was “win every inning” as the team’s mascot Rebel Devil Fox Dog and the players stood on the front line defending their ground.

After a week and a half with no games, Chapin-Newberry seemed a little sluggish at the beginning of their games, but posted an 8-5 victory over Gaffney and a 5-3 win over Union. The bats cranked up against Florence on Monday with a 13-3 win.

Coach Daniel Gregory said the team making such a strong run in the tournament was a testament to the things they did all year.

“Our young men just did all the right things at the right time. It definitely is a tribute to the desire of our guys,” Gregory said. “They really wanted to be here and win it all. The recipe for success in baseball is to pitch well, play defense and put the ball in play with a purpose”

Every game, Gregory said they had players step up and make the plays. Gregory said the wins were a complete team effort — 47 runs on 49 hits in the last three games against arguably the best two teams in the state.

“We are very excited to win the state and to be 23-0,” Gregory said. “We really think we have a strong chance to go up to Asheboro and make a run.”

The semi-finals on July 28 showed just what they were capable of doing. Facing hometown team Sumter in their home stadium should have given an edge to Sumter. After two scoreless innings, Chapin-Newberry plated five runs in the third and six in the fourth to give them an 11-run lead.

Andrew Livingston led off the top of the third with a double and Zack Ziesing tripled, scoring Livingston for the first run of the game. Danton Hyman walked and Peyton Spangler scored Ziesing on a ground out that advanced Hyman to third.

Justin Hawkins singled scoring Hyman. Ryan Stoudemire singled and advances Hawkins. Landon Allison singled moving runners up a base. Duncan Crotwell singled and plated Hawkins. On a fielder’s choice to third Kevis Burton singled scoring Stoudemire. The score after three and a half innings was 5-0.

Six unearned runs in the fourth were courtesy of Sumter errors. Ziesing reached first on a second baseman error and a double by Hyman advanced Ziesing to third. Sumter intentionally walked Hawkins.

Stoudemire hit a hard grounder to the shortstop who juggled the ball and threw it away at first, allowing two runs to score. Three additional hits by Crotwell, Burton and Livingston made the score 11-0.

Chapin-Newberry plated six additional runs in the ninth inning.

Burton was on the bump for Chapin-Newberry and threw five shutout innings. He was relieved by Trey Huber, Corey Stone and Pat Yoder.

The win placed Chapin-Newberry in the enviable position of having to be beaten twice in the championship series by Florence, which had one loss.

On July 29, Chapin-Newberry, now 22-0, faced the championship game with the same vengeance of the last two games. Clinton High’s lefty Tristan Smaltz was on the mound. He struck out three, walked one, had one hit by pitch, allowed four hits and one run. He was relieved by Josh Haney and Ryne Huggins.

Florence scored its only run of the game in the first inning. Chapin-Newberry answered, plating five runs in the first, two in the third, three in the fourth and two in the fifth. It was like Chapin-Newberry never left the field from the game before. They picked up two hits in the first inning and when the game was over the scoreboard flashed 13 hits, one error and 12 runs. The final score was 12-1.

Looking forward

Chapin-Newberry ended the tournament with a season record of 23-0 which they will carry to the Southeastern Regional in Asheboro, N.C., next week.

Not only did Chapin-Newberry bring home the South Carolina State Championship, they brought home the tournament pitching award given to Ryan Stoudemire and the most valuable player award given to Justin Hawkins.

The team will get only a few days rest before leaving Aug. 4 for Asheboro where they will join the state champions from North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Alabama.

South Carolina’s first game is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Aug. 5 at McCrary Park in Asheboro. The winner of the Southeastern Tournament will advance to the American Legion Baseball World Series in Shelby, N.C.