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• Wednesday, July 31, 2024

  Rome’s Smith Post hits way to state Legion baseball title

  

  Smith Post manager Ryan Hickey passes off the state championship trophy to the team after accepting it following their 4-3 win over Clinton County Mariners. Daily Sentinel photo by John Clifford.

  BINGHAMTON — “Rather than put their heads down after Clinton County tied the American Legion baseball state title game in the seventh inning,” the Daily Sentinel reported, “Smith Post players just asked each other who was going to get the championship-winning hit.”

  It was Nate Van Wie, whose single drove in the winning run, lifting Smith Post to its fourth-ever New York State American Legion Championship title, and its first since 1998.

  Smith Post’s 4-3 championship win on July 30 came just hours after defeating Orange County 3-2 with a walk-off sacrifice fly.

  The state champs now advance to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament set to take place at Joe Cannon Stadium in Ridge, Maryland from Aug. 7-11.

  Henry P. Smith Post 24 is from Rome and led the 5th District.

  The Clinton County Mariners team led the 4th District and is from Plattsburgh, sponsored by Post 1619.

  Orange County Outlaws Post 1167 is the 9th District champion.

  Other teams in the state tournament:

  – 6th District: Endicott Post 82, state champions in 2014.

  – 7th District: Two-time defending state champion Greece Post 468.

  – 8th District: Alfred J. Jurek Post 1672 from East Amherst.

  

  Smith Post first baseman Nate Van Wie accepts the bat commemorating his most valuable player honor in the American Legion baseball state tournament. Van Wie drove in the game-winning run to defeat Clinton County 4-3 in Binghamton and capture Smith’s fourth state title. Daily Sentinel photo by John Clifford.

  

  Smith Post state champions. Daily Sentinel photo by John Clifford.