Rowan County secured its ninth consecutive American Legion victory, defeating Wadesboro 10-1 in a game that unfolded on a modest field in North Carolina.
The locals struggled to find rhythm early, failing to score until the fourth inning and not registering a hit until the fifth, but a timely walk by Maddox Moore and a stolen base set the stage for the first run.
Brant Graham broke the deadlock with Rowan’s first double in the fifth, and Drew Pegram followed with a sacrifice fly that pushed the lead to 2-0. Gaige Scruggs added a two-out single to make it 3-0 before Pope’s three-run homer in the sixth inning exploded the scoreboard.
Pope’s bat kept delivering, as he later contributed a two-run single in the seventh to finish with five RBIs, while Rowan compiled eight hits, including doubles from Pegram and Graham.
On the mound, Connor Park worked effectively for five innings before being relieved, and Dylan Alexander closed the frame with two strikeouts. Maverick Walters then pitched the sixth and seventh, allowing just one run on two hits and striking out three.
Wadesboro’s starter Jared Horne delivered a solid outing but absorbed the loss after an unearned run slipped through in the fourth, a setback compounded by Gage McRae’s run-scoring double for the visitors.
Upcoming Matchup
Rowan’s next test arrives against Mocksville, a contest that will also feature the return of Cole Blevins, who missed the game due to freshman orientation at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is slated to be back on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Pope will be sidelined for the remainder of the week as a State Games participant, and powerful outfielder Jayven Parks remains out with a shoulder injury, though coach Seth Graham expressed optimism about his comeback next week.