American Legion State Tournament: 20 years ago Beckley "Bashed" the competition

Beckley tallied 53 runs and had 10 homers to win the 2006 WV American Legion State Tournament

The last time Post 32 Beckley Bash won the West Virginia American Legion State Tournament, back in 2006, it truly lived up to its name.

After winning both Area 6 games, Beckley won four straight in Elkins at the state tournament, scoring 53 runs.

An opening round, 16-8 win over Morgantown preceded a 16-12 win over South Charleston where Beckley led 16-5 at one point.

Game three was the only true tight battle with Beckley trailing Bridgeport 4-3 going to the bottom of the 8th-inning.

The Bash proceeded to score four runs en route to a 7-4 win.

Bridgeport was again the foe for the championship game, but this one was no contest in a 14-3, Bash beat down.

Included in the huge run production was 10 home runs.

Brandon Redden hit 3 big flies, while Adam Parkulo and Matt Coker had two apiece. Jordan Yost, Chip Hedrick and G.W Dodrill all had one bomb.

The fireworks at the plate was no surprise for the 2006 edition of the Beckley Bash (38-13).

Yost led the squad with a .436 batting average which included 25 home runs, 77 RBI's and 53 runs scored.

Redden, Parkulo and Hedrick each hit seven round-trippers.

Coker was just a tick off of Yost with a .434 average with Hedrick, Redden, Dodrill, Parkulo and Brent Windon hitting over .300.

Hedrick, Dodrill and Coker combined for a 16-3 record on the hill.

Beckley advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament that year where it fell one game shy of the championship tilt and a berth in the American Legion World Series.

The 2026 Bash "Boyz" will look to honor the 20-year anniversary of that Beckley team when it opens play Thursday, ironically, against Morgantown in the 8-team field.