MONROE, La. — A pair of West Bladen High graduates joined a team from West Fayetteville to compete in the 2017 Dixie Majors Baseball World Series in Monroe against 11 other teams from the South
Chandler Lennon, a 2016 graduate, and Caleb Sholar, a 2017 graduate, each saw action in the three games and helped the West Fayetteville team finish sixth after winning two of three games.
West Fayetteville lost its opening game to Benton, Ark., 7-4, but rebounded in the consolation bracket with an 8-5 win over Laurel, Miss., before being ousted from the double-elimination tournament by Vidalia, La., 6-5.
“The competition was really tough,” said Lennon, who was battling an ankle sprain but still managed to close two games on the mound. “Most of the pitchers were throwing 90 mph and there were a lot of good college players, but it was a real good experience.”
Sholar agreed
“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “My high-school coach (Kim Cain) always said these tournaments were a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and he was right.”
Sholar was a starting outfielder for West Fayetteville and handled all his chances cleanly — including a running, diving catch against Louisiana.
The tournament wrapped up the summer baseball for both Lennon and Sholar. Lennon will soon start his second year at Fayetteville Tech and Sholar will start his collegiate academics this fall at Bladen Community College.
W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163 or by email at cvincent@s24515.p831.sites.pressdns.com.