With a new sponsor in Post 500, Central Plains Regional champions look for an American Legion World Series title.
Lincoln (Neb.) has a different post sponsor but the same goal as it enters the American Legion World Series for the second time in three years.
Formerly Post 3, the team nicknamed the Carpet Land Spartans, is now sponsored by Post 500 and is back in Shelby, N.C., with the hopes of finding one more victory. Two years ago, Lincoln lost 1-0 to League City (Tex.) Post 554 in the championship game.
There are no players left from that team but its coach from 2023, Mychal Lanik, has the same expectations as in 2023.
“We set our goals when we started this season and I think we’ve kind of exceeded expectations because we have a ton of young players,” Lanik said. “But they are playing with no fear. So it’s really been fun.”
In the Central Plains Regional, Lincoln rolled to five straight victories to punch its ticket to Shelby.
Kalai Larsen was named Central Plains Regional MVP after collecting five hits, two RBIs and a pitching victory. Other Lincoln standouts were Dele Odulate (7 hits, 5 RBIs), Carter Harmes (5 hits, 5 RBIs) and Brodie McIntire (5 hits, 6 RBIs).
Lanik is trying to make sure his team recognizes how special its accomplishment is just to advance to the ALWS.
“I’ve told them how special it is and how exciting it is and to make sure they enjoy it because you never know if you’re ever going to get back,” Lanik said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It’s something every Legion player will always remember if they ever get to do it.
“But our goals are the same: We want to play well and to win.”
ALWS Schedule
Aug. 15: Game 1, vs. Rockport (Ind.) Post 254, 10 a.m. ET
Aug. 16: Game 8, vs. League City (Tex.) Post 554, 7 p.m. ET
Aug. 17: Game 11, vs. Portland (Ore.) Post 158, 4 p.m. ET
Roster*
No. Name Pos. Ht./Wt. B/T Graduates / School
15 Arranaga, Santino P 5’11”/170 L/L 2026 / Lincoln East HS
13 Bjorkman, Greyson P 6’3”/225 L/R 2026 / Lincoln East HS
7 Christensen, Abe P 6’1”/185 R/R 2026 / Lincoln East HS
4 Cockle, Lewis P / 3B 5’11”/185 R/R 2025 / Lincoln East HS
30 Erickson, Bradyn C / 2B 5’9”/165 R/R 2028 / Lincoln East HS
3 Harmes, Carter SS / 2B 5’11”/170 R/R 2025 / Lincoln East HS
44 Knaak, Keith P / 2B 5’10”/180 R/R 2024 / Lincoln East HS
1 Larsen, Kalai P / SS 5’11”/165 R/R 2027 / Lincoln East HS
6 McIntire, Brodie 2B / SS 5’10”/165 R/R 2026 / Lincoln East HS
2 McPeak, Carter RF 6’0”/195 R/R 2025 / Lincoln East HS
14 Morrow, Hudson C / 1B 6’0”/200 R/R 2026 / Lincoln East HS
12 Moser, Landon C / LF 5’9”/175 R/R 2026 / Lincoln East HS
5 Odulate, Dele CF / LF 5’10”/170 R/R 2026 / Lincoln East HS
10 Ohler, Jack P 6’2”/175 L/L 2025 / Lincoln East HS
8 Rhodes, Bryson LF / CF 5’11”/175 R/R 2027 / Lincoln East HS
42 Roach, Trevor J P / RF 6’4”/195 R/R 2026 / Lincoln East HS
28 Wavra, Cruz LF / RF 5’8”/165 L/L 2027 / Lincoln East HS
Manager: Mychal Lanik
Assistants: Rob Knaak, Noah Kulhenek
*Players will receive camo jerseys for Military Appreciation Day during team orientation which may be different numbers than listed here.
Regional results
Aug. 6: Lincoln (Neb.) Post 500 d. Harrisburg (S.D.) Post 45, 6-0.
Aug. 7: Lincoln (Neb.) Post 500 d. West Fargo (N.D.) Post 308, 10-0 (5 innings).
Aug. 8: Lincoln (Neb.) Post 500 d. Shakopee (Minn.) Post 2, 16-6 (6 innings).
Aug. 9: Lincoln (Neb.) Post 500 d. Harrisburg (S.D.) Post 45, 2-0.
Aug. 10: Lincoln (Neb.) Post 500 d. West Fargo (N.D.) Post 308, 6-3.
- Baseball