American Legion Baseball: Charleston Post 65 tops Beckley Bash Post 32 for the Area 3 Title

Charleston rides another strong pitching performance from ace Evan Wilson for the win

Marietta College rising-sophomore Evan Wilson stymied Beckley Bash Post 32 for a regular season win in early July at Linda K. Epling Stadium.

Saturday in the Area 3 championship game, Wilson again held Beckley in check.

Erasing an early deficit, Charleston scored five runs after the first rain delay to take a 9-3 win. The title was the first-ever American Legion Area 3 championship for Post 65.

Both teams now advance to the American Legion State Tournament in Morgantown Thursday.

"You play for the name on the front of that shirt, not the back. Our kids bought into that. These kids are so good and respectful," Charleston Post 65 head coach Sam Buckner said. "They respect the game. They respect themselves. I take more away from when umpires tell you that and thank you for keeping your kids in check. Especially in this day and age."

After only scoring two runs in the first meeting against the big right-hander, Post 32 matched that output in the first frame.

Cole Brown tripled home Cole Cunningham with a two-out liner before scoring on a single from Levi Barnett.

Before Beckley could hit again, Mother Nature opened up the skies for lengthy rain delay.

When play resumed, Charleston quickly seized control of the game and never looked back.

Luke Blaydes singled to open the third inning and Landon Nida followed with a walk. Wilson singled to load the base for Jason Ferrell who tripled to right-center for a 3-2 lead for the visitors.

Beckley appeared poised to escape further damage with two straight outs, but a single from Grant Barclay pushed the advantage to 4-2.

A critical Beckley error kept the inning alive before a bases loaded walk capped the five-run uprising by Post 65.

The outburst from his teammates provided all the runs that Wilson needed the rest of the way.

"Evan is one of the best players to have and one of the best teammates to have. Everybody knows that," Buckner said. "When Evan comes in, he expects more out of himself than what anyone else can expect. He just does a great job and we play hard behind him. As long as we have Evan on the mound, we feel like we have a chance."

Beckley added its final run in the bottom of the inning on a two-out single from Barnett.

With Charleston Post 65 leading 9-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Mother Nature once again intervened with a deluge that made the field unplayable and forced the game to be called.

After the first inning, Wilson only surrendered two hits and one unearned run over the next four innings. His performance capped a strong pitching performance by Post 65 to secure the championship title.

"Evan was not the only one. Luke Blaydes got us here. Tristan (Ciampanella) threw a great game against (South Charleston Post) 95. Ryan Anderson threw a great game last night, even though we didn't win, he pitched a great game," Buckner said. "Luke Buckner pitched good in relief last night and we have had others come in in relief. You don't know when you are going to get called in baseball and you have to be ready."

Charleston (17-15) will play Berkeley Post 14 (18-8) Thursday at 1 p.m. in the opening round of the American Legion State Tournament on Dale Miller Field at Mylan Park Thursday.

Beckley Bash Post 32 (18-13-1) opens against Berkeley Springs Post 60 (18-7) Thursday at 10 a.m.