ALWS Game 3: Alabama opens defense of title with win 

Patience was a successful virtue for defending American Legion World Series champion Troy (Ala.) Post 70 in its first game of the 2023 event at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C., on Thursday. 

Troy drew an ALWS-record 15 bases on balls and four hit batters while taking 211 pitches from Ellsworth (Maine) Post 207 in a workmanlike 13-3 victory. 

“Their guy was really good the first time through,” Post 70 coach Ross Hixon said of Ellsworth starter Craig Burnett. “He no-hit us. A big guy was throwing from the shadows. 

“We made some adjustments and in the middle of the game we were really good. All in all, a good first win.” 

Troy’s offense took full advantage of those free passes as five of them forced in runs on a night in which Post 70 had eight hits that were highlighted by Drew Shiver’s two-run home run and Christian Hill’s two-run single. 

After Shiver’s home run gave Troy a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, Post 170 broke the game open with an eight-run fifth in which Troy sent 13 batters to the plate, drew six walks and two hit batters and recorded two hits. 

“It’s kind of tough for the boys from Maine to come into heat like this,” Ellsworth coach Brad Smith said. “Our grip on the ball just seemed a little off. We honestly don’t have very many control issues. It might have been the moment or it might have been the heat or maybe it just wasn’t our day.” 

Ellsworth, making its first trip to the ALWS, struck for three runs in the in fifth on Joey Wellman-Clouse’s sacrifice fly and Hunter Curtis’ two-run home run before Troy scored three more times in the seventh inning with the help of three walks, one hit batter, one fielding error and one hit. 

“Our guys know the strike zone,” Hixon said. “They might strike out a little more than I’d like them to but they’re also going to walk a lot too and run the pitch count up a little on the opposing pitcher.” 

Hill’s four hits and two RBIs led Troy’s offense and Aiden Wright (2 2/3 innings, 1 strikeout) picked up the win in relief. 

Both return to action on Friday with Ellsworth meeting Cheyenne (Wyo.) Post 6 at 4 p.m. and Troy meeting League City (Tex.) Post 554 in a rematch from the 2022 ALWS. 

A year ago, Troy edged League City 4-3 and hard-luck loser Jacob Cyr, who pitched the third no-hitter in ALWS history earlier on Thursday. 

“I’m glad Jacob Cyr pitched today and I don’t have to see him since he threw a no-hitter today,” Hixon said. “He had a great game against us last year and we were fortunate to win. We know they’re a really, really good team and we’ll have to be better than we were today.”