SHELBY N.C. – Hudson Post 100’s historic season has come to an end.
The group – which won the Northeast Regional Tournament in Manchester N.H. on Aug. 11 to become one of the top eight teams in the U.S. – faced off against the country’s best at the American Legion World Series at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C. from Aug. 15 to Aug. 17.
Facing a schedule that included multiple previous tournament champions, Hudson left the World Series in Pool Play after going 0-3. Post 100 opened the tournament with a 10-1 loss against Troy (Ala.) Post 70, the 2022 World Series champion. Hudson rebounded the next day, holding 2023 champion League City (Texas) Post 554 in check, but walked away with a 4-2 loss. The team closed out the tournament with a 12-3 loss against Fargo (N.D.) Post 2.
“We faced some great competition when we were down there,” said Hudson Post 100 Head Coach Ryan Bowen. “I think we held our own. Some of the games were probably closer than the final score would indicate, but obviously, it’s extremely cool to go and play with some of the ‘big boys’ and see how we did. We almost came out with one.”
But the difficult end to the year doesn’t take away from the team’s history-making season, said Bowen. The group secured the first Zone 4 championship in program history, allowing the team to compete in the state tournament for the first time as a non-host. This season also marked Hudson Post 100’s first-ever regional tournament championship and World Series appearance.
“We played 40 games in 71 days. That’s a lot to ask from players, coaches, families – everything. None of this happens without all of their support and effort. Everyone had to buy into it for it to happen – and they did,” said Bowen. After a regular season of 20 games, Hudson doubled the length of its season and played another 20 playoff games.
Along the way, the team – led by a slew of veteran leaders – including Bobby Long Jr., Chase Donahue, Peter Ward, Dan Demirjian, and Ryan Graf – bonded and became “what Hudson baseball is all about,” said Bowen. Whether it was soaking Bowen with the contents of a Gatorade cooler to celebrate winning the Northeast or trips to Waffle House in Shelby, the team’s camaraderie was key to pushing deep into the World Series, said Bowen.
“That’s probably the tightest group we’ve had … and it showed on the field. They never gave up on games, they never gave up on each other. It doesn’t happen unless they’re that tight,” Bowen said.
Hudson Post 100, set to lose 10 players, is certain to have some fresh faces next year as it looks to defend its Northeast title. But, with the program’s recent success, prospective players are already contacting Post 100 coaches looking for an opportunity to join the squad, said Bowen.
