By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
CHERRYVILLE, N.C. — Two out of three ain’t bad but three straight would be great.
The Bossier Phillies have played in the last two American Legion World Series, which means they’ve won the last two Mid-South Regionals, held in Missouri.
This year, they’re in North Carolina, home of the World Series, just 12 miles down the road in Shelby.
To make that drive, the Phillies (18-2) will have to navigate a six-team regional field beginning this afternoon. Tupelo (Miss.) and Columbia (Tenn.) start at 9:30 EDT, with Bossier following when possible against the Bryant (Ark.) Black Sox, ahead of a 4:30 contest pitting Dalphane (Ala.) against Ada (Okla.).
The double-elimination bracket wraps up Sunday and the winner begins the World Series Aug. 13.
The Phillies have packed for a two-week stay. They’re not overconfident, said veteran coach Dane Peavy, just prepared for the best outcome.
“You definitely have to plan for it. You don’t want to not expect to get there,” he said.
While Bossier is probably considered the regional favorite based on history and its gaudy record, Peavy pumps the brakes on being the heavy this week. The Phillies got to the World Series semifinals last year, playing in an ESPNU-televised contest.
“I wouldn’t say we’re last year’s team, but we’re competitive enough,” said Peavy, who has five of his 15 players back from that club. “They go out and try to get the job done best they can.
“This team is scrappy. I didn’t know what they had in ‘em when we got started, but we haven’t really been tested all summer. We got beat twice, but we didn’t get beat with everybody there.
“We figured there would be hiccups along the way, and there were none. Everybody gelled together. We had guys playing spots they’d never played before, and they got after it for 3-4 weeks. We didn’t have a full crew until we got to state,” he said.
There, the Phillies went unbeaten, though not untested. Bossier scored a pair of one-run victories to finish the state tournament.
Bossier will have to go without two starters from that event. Shortstop Case Jorden has school obligations and first baseman Cooper Holmes is having dental surgery today.
“We’ll have to do the next-man-up thing. We have 15 guys on the trip and I feel good about every one of them,” Peavy said. “I have no doubt they’re going to compete.”
The general instability of this summer’s squad will help them adjust without two mainstays.
“Last year’s team stayed together. This year it’s different because guys were scattered around for part of the summer. They make it work,” said Peavy.
One anchor is today’s starting pitcher, Bud Burns.
“He didn’t get a chance to pitch at state, and I told him since he didn’t, he’d pitch Game 1 in the regional. I’ve been watching Bud throw for almost 6-8 months, and for two years now, and he’s gotten better every time out,” said Peavy. “He hasn’t given up a run in 10 innings all summer. Not to say he won’t give up a run here, but I feel good about what he’s going to give us.”
Former Benton star and Northwestern State pitcher Kade Bryant is the Game 2 starter Friday, with another ex-Tiger, Tanner Webb, on the bump for Game 3 Saturday. Both pitched well in last year’s World Series.
The rest of the starting nine: first baseman Griffin Sibley, Brody Turnipseed at second, Landon Martin at third, replacing Jackson Waller, who moves over to shortstop. Cole Snell is the centerfielder, flanked by Kannon Greer in left and Braden Stephens in right. Nate Cervantes will be behind the plate.
As the Phillies prepared for their trip, it was impossible not to envision a third straight World Series appearance.
“I hope this team gets the chance to experience that. It was truly special for the two teams that had the opportunity to get to Shelby,” said Peavy. “It’s a wonderful experience and if we get to do it again, it will be just as wonderful.”
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com