A Late‑Inning Hero in Shelby
The 2026 American Legion World Series reached its climax on Saturday night at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, North Carolina, where Whitehouse Post 284 faced off against Fairfield (Calif.) Expos in a winner‑takes‑all Game 7.
Whitehouse entered the contest with a 1‑1 pool‑play record, but the team was missing three key starters—first baseman Mike Novotny and catchers Mike Basile and Jackson Lewis—who had been sidelined by injuries.
The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the sixth, when Kellan Komline stepped up after a foul ball dropped, giving him a second chance that he seized with a solo home run that broke the tie and put Whitehouse ahead 3‑2.
Reliever Reid Bazydlo entered in the later innings, shutting down the Expos’ rally and preserving the lead, earning the save that complemented Komline’s heroics.
Coach Steve Farsiou praised the youngster, calling him a ‘gamer’ who stepped up when the team needed it most, underscoring the depth of character in the post.
Looking ahead, Whitehouse will meet Lincoln (Neb.) Carpet Land Post 500 on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, followed by a showdown with Tupelo (Miss.) Post 49 at 7 p.m. ET, giving the squad a chance to extend their momentum.