Alabama squad counting on good fortune, experience at American Legion World Series

To advance to the American Legion World Series, every coach will tell you there was good fortune shining on the team at least once.

For Troy (Ala.) Post 70, the good fortune that helped Troy set ALWS history was limited to the final pitch of a grueling Southeast Regional-ending doubleheader against Wayne County (N.C.) Post 11 last Sunday.

“We did not have a lead on Sunday until the final pitch,” Troy coach Ross Hixon said. “For 16 innings, we were behind or even.”

But on the final pitch, Cody Walsh’s game-winning single in a 5-4, 9-inning victory not only gave Post 70 the lead for the first time but a regional title that allows the team to join fellow 2024 ALWS participant League City (Texas) Post 554 as only the 10th and 11th programs in history to advance to the ALWS for three straight years.

“It meant something to them to do it and it’s also a testament to the players before them that told them how special it would be if they won and got back to Shelby,” Hixon said. “We were up against it. We were unbeaten coming in and we lost and we’re all square again and then they get an early lead and you can’t help but think, ‘Maybe this is just their day.’

“But our kids just kept at it and kept working hard.”

Hixon, who had high praise for Wayne County’s effort that resulted in a runner-up finish in its first-ever regional appearance, knew the star-crossed history of his team against North Carolina teams before this season began.

“There was a gap and time passage so not everybody knew about it,” said Hixon, in his third year as Post 70 head coach and ninth year in the program. “But I had heard about it.”

His predecessor, John Rushing, had taken Tuscaloosa and Troy teams to a regional final four times in his career only to lose each time with three coming against North Carolina teams: Cherryville in 2003, Rowan County in 2009 and Randolph County in 2018.

That heartbreak led Hixon to never take his good fortune for granted.

“Back in ‘22 when we first went, that week is so fun that when you do it one time, you get addicted to it and really want to do it again,” said Hixon, whose 2022 team won the ALWS to give Alabama its second champion and first since Tuscaloosa in 1967. “So, it’s a feeling that’s never going to get old.

“We know that, sooner or later, we’re not going to get to go. But whenever we go, I tell the kids that you need to be present and in the moment because it’s just so fun and so special.

“All of the kids for the last two years still talk about going to Shelby, and that’s whether you win it or not. So it’s something that’s not lost on us because you’re not guaranteed to go back. Going three years in a row is just super special.”

This year’s team has five players from last year’s sixth-place finisher in 2024 Southeast Regional MVP Brady Richardson, Brody Linsdey, Matt David Snell, Aiden Wright and Blake Wynn.

“Those five were all a part of it last year and I’ve leaned on them a lot this summer, especially in this regional and now World Series run,” Hixon said. “And they’ve talked it up to the other 13 about the importance of what we’re doing.”

Troy Post 70 pool play schedule (all times ET):

Aug. 15: vs. Hudson (Mass.) Post 100, 4 p.m.

Aug. 16: vs. Fargo (N.D.) Post 2, 7 p.m.

Aug. 18: vs. League City (Tex.) Post 554, 7 p.m.