Post 11 storms back after 2010

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 17, 2011 1:50 AM

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Frustration festered in the guts of Wayne County Post 11 players who experienced a disappointing, series-ending loss to nemesis Wilson Post 13 a year ago.

They gained satisfaction this season.

Not only did Post 11 sweep Post 13 in regular-season play this summer, it reaffirmed itself as one of the state's elite Senior Legion programs. Directed by second-year head coach Rob Watt, Wayne County captured the Area I East championship -- its first since 2008 and ninth overall since 1994.

"We've got a bunch of new guys and some returners who knew we had a good team last year, but weren't satisfied with how everything finished up last year," said Watt.

Wayne County (24-5 overall) battles for its seventh Area I crown since 1984 against Cary Post 67 today. The teams will play a 'winner-take-all' game to determine the higher seed for the N.C. Senior American Legion state tournament, which begins Friday in Morehead City.

Post 11 won the earlier meeting, 15-14.

Cary, a perennial Junior Legion power, swept North Chatham Post 283 in the Area I West championship series. Cary has lost just one postseason game, while Wayne County is a perfect 7-0.

Post 11 has nine batters hitting .300 or better this season, and a team average of .340. Jon Taylor is hitting a blistering .469 and shares the team's home-run lead (three) with Collin DuBose.

Southern Wayne teammates Cody Davis and Kevin Wise, who has verbally committed to North Carolina, are waging an RBI war. Davis holds a 23-22 advantage heading into today's game.

Left-hander Jordan Quinn, coming off a 124-pitch effort against Pitt County 39, leads the pitching staff with six wins. Eight hurlers have at least one win for Wayne County, which has steadily reduced its team earned run average in recent outings.

"I really think we have a great bunch of kids," said Watt. "Us as a coaching staff really like to be around these kids. They're attentive, they buy in, they're here for the right reasons, they want to win and go as far as they can.

"Hopefully we can make a run."