News Summary
The Chapin-Newberry American Legion Baseball team will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their 2015 championship victory this Friday at Newberry College. The event coincides with a game against the Joanna Hornets, showcasing the current team and reflecting on the remarkable season of the previous champions. The 2015 team finished with a 32-1 record, claiming the South Carolina state championship, the Southeastern region title, and winning the American Legion World Series.
Chapin, South Carolina – The Chapin-Newberry American Legion Baseball team is set to honor the 10th anniversary of their remarkable 2015 championship winning team this Friday at 7 PM. The event will take place at Newberry College, coinciding with a game featuring the current 2025 team facing off against the Joanna Hornets.
The 2015 team accomplished an outstanding feat by finishing the season with a 32-1 record. They excelled in their competition by claiming the South Carolina state championship title, advancing to win the Southeastern region championship, and ultimately prevailing in the prestigious American Legion World Series. In a memorable championship game, Chapin-Newberry triumphed over New Orleans, Louisiana, with a score of 9-2 at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, North Carolina.
This victory placed the Chapin-Newberry team alongside the 1936 Spartanburg team as the only teams from South Carolina to secure a win in the American Legion World Series. The remarkable history of the 2015 team is noteworthy not only for their accomplishments but also for their journey throughout the season.
Ryan Stoudemire, a pivotal player on the 2015 team, is now the head coach of Chapin-Newberry. Reflecting on the team’s special camaraderie and success, he indicated that the players did not fully appreciate their achievements until after their season concluded. The team’s remarkable performance began with an unblemished 28-0 record before they entered the World Series.
During the World Series, the team faced significant challenges. They secured a narrow, nail-biting 2-1 victory against Midland, Michigan, the previous champions, with two crucial runs scored in the bottom of the ninth inning. However, their initial unbeaten streak came to an end on the second day of the championship, suffering a 5-2 loss to New Orleans.
The team then faced a decisive game against Cromwell, Connecticut, where they found themselves down 6-0 but managed to rally back for a 7-6 victory. In the semifinals, they battled against Medford, Oregon, turning around a 3-1 deficit to secure a 4-3 win with an outstanding performance in the later innings.
During the championship match, the Chapin-Newberry team built an impressive seven-run lead against New Orleans. In a moment of triumph, they celebrated their victory with a “dog-pile” on the field, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of 8,826 attendees, marking it as the largest championship game attendance since 1949.
Chapin-Newberry’s 32-1 record stands out as the best national record since 1937, and the World Series set a new attendance record with a total of 117,072 spectators over the five-day event. Additionally, Justin Hawkins received the George W. Rulon American Legion Player of the Year award for his exceptional performance, which included hitting three home runs during the World Series.
The road to the championship began with the team capturing the state title by sweeping Florence in five games. They then moved on to the regional championships held in Asheboro, North Carolina, where they claimed victory against various Southern teams.
Stoudemire fondly recalls the strong bonds forged among team members, reminiscing about unforgettable experiences off the field, which included team-building activities and lighthearted pranks. The roster from the championship team included talented players from local high schools such as Mid-Carolina, Newberry, and Clinton.
The achievements of the 2015 Chapin-Newberry team extended beyond their championship victory, as they received accolades and awards for their performances at both the state and regional levels, further solidifying their legacy within American Legion Baseball.
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Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Chapin-Newberry Set to Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary of World Series Title
- Wikipedia: American Legion Baseball
- The State: High School Sports
- Google Search: Chapin-Newberry American Legion Baseball
- Newberry Observer: Chapin-Newberry American Legion Capture Two Home Victories
- Google Scholar: American Legion Baseball Championships
- The State: Clemson University Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American Legion Baseball
- PMG: Camden Article
- Google News: Chapin-Newberry Baseball News
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