ALWS 2022 championship preview: 2 teams chasing history

It took a little more drama than Idaho Falls (Idaho) Post 56 might have wanted, but their quest for an historic achievement remains alive.

Troy (Ala.) Post 70 is chasing a bit of history themselves.

Idaho Falls and Troy will face off in the championship game of the 95th American Legion World Series on Tuesday at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C. The game will air on ESPNU at 7 p.m. EDT. And follow on social media on Twitter (@LegionBaseball), Instagram (@TheAmericanLegion) and Facebook (@OfficialAmericanLegionBaseball and @AmericanLegionWorldSeries) using the hashtag #ALWS22.

Idaho Falls is trying to become the first program to win three consecutive American Legion World Series titles after winning in 2019 and 2021 — the 2020 ALWS was canceled due to the pandemic.

Five other teams won back-to-back titles before Post 56, but couldn’t make it three in a row.

“To be honest, we haven’t talked a ton about it,” Idaho Falls coach Ryan Alexander said after Post 56’s dramatic 5-4 semifinal win over Shrewsbury (Mass.) Post 397 on Monday. “The first time was last night when we said, ‘Now we have an opportunity to do something historic.’

“We’re going to embrace it,” he added. “Like all year, we’ve embraced the role of having a target on our backs and now we’ve got an opportunity to make some history. So let’s see if we can.”

Meanwhile, Troy is the first team from Alabama to reach the championship game since Tuscaloosa won the title in 1967.

“That was the goal. These guys like to win. I like to win. So while it was great getting here, they still play to win. Now you have an opportunity to win it all. No matter the outcome tomorrow, to have a chance to play in the title game is exciting,” said Troy coach Ross Hixon.

Speaking after Post 70’s win over Midland (Mich.) Post 165 in Monday’s first semifinal, Hixon acknowledged that either team Troy would face would be a tough opponent.

“If we get Idaho, they’re trying to make their own history. We’re trying to do the same thing,” Hixon said.

The pitcher who helped ensure Post 70’s title game appearance, Douglas Johnson, is confident that it will be his team making history on Tuesday.

“We’re going to win it all,” Johnson said after improving to 2-0 in Shelby with the win over Midland. “I firmly believe we’re going to win it.”