Any coach will tell you that their team had at least one stroke of luck to make it to the American Legion World Series.
For Troy (Ala.) Post 70, the chance to make ALWS history came limited to the final pitch of a tough Southeastern Regional doubleheader against Wayne County (N.C.) Post 11 last Sunday.
“We didn't have a lead Sunday until the last pitch,” Troy coach Ross Hixson said, “and for 16 innings we were either behind or tied.”
But when Cody Walsh hit a single on the final pitch to seal the 5-4, ninth-inning victory, Post 70 not only took the lead for the first time, but also claimed the region title, becoming just the 10th and 11th programs in history to advance to the ALWS three years in a row, joining 2024 ALWS contender League City (Texas) Post 554.
“It meant a lot to them to win, and it's also a testament to the guys who came before them who told them how great it would be to win and go back to Shelby,” Hixson said. “We were struggling. We came into the game undefeated, we lost, we were tied again, and then they got out to an early lead. You couldn't help but think, 'Maybe today is their day.'”
“But our kids just kept working hard and kept trying hard.”
Hixson appreciated Wayne County's effort in finishing as runner-up in its first regional appearance, but he was aware of his team's unlucky history against North Carolina teams even before this season began.
“There was a gap and time had passed so not everyone knew about it,” said Hixson, who is in his third year as Post 70's head coach and has been with the program for nine years, “but I had heard about it.”
His predecessor, John Rushing, led Tuscaloosa and Troy teams to four regional finals but lost three times, including to North Carolina teams: Cherryville in 2003, Rowan County in 2009 and Randolph County in 2018.
That heartbreak taught Hixson to never take his good fortune for granted.
“The first time I went in '22, the week was so much fun, and once you go, you get hooked and you want to go again,” Hixson said, whose '22 team won the ALWS, giving Alabama its second championship and its first since Tuscaloosa in 1967. “So it's a feeling I never get tired of.”
“We know that sooner or later we won't be able to go, but whenever we do go, I tell my kids they need to be there and savor the moment because it's so fun and special.”
“All of our kids the last two years have been talking about going to Shelby, win or lose, so it's something we'll remember because there's no guarantee we'll go again. To be able to go three years in a row is really special.”
This year's team features five players who finished sixth and were last year's 2024 Southeast Regional MVP: Brady Richardson, Brodie Linsday, Matt David Snell, Aiden Wright and Blake Winn.
“Those five guys were with us last year and we've relied on them a lot this summer, especially in the region and in the World Series,” Hixson said. “They've been evangelizing the other 13 guys about the importance of what we're doing.”
