From staff reports
Rowan Countyís American Legion team is scheduled to return to action tonight at Newman Park against Randolph County.
Randolph, as is usually the case, is one of the top teams in the Northern Division, while Rowan (5-1 in division play) is chasing Mocksville (4-0) for the top spot in the Southern Division of Area III standings.
Rowan has won three straight games since losing a non-league game to Rocky Mount.
Shortstop Justin Morris has hit safely in all seven games for Rowan this season, while Luke Thomas, Matt Mauldin and Taylor Garczynski take five-game hitting streaks into tonight.
Nathan Fulbright has had a hit in all four games heís played in.
n South Rowan wonít play again until it takes on Lexington in a non-division game at Holt-Moffitt Field on June 16.
South plays at home against Stanly on June 17.
n The next scheduled game for Kannapolis is a June 20 home encounter with Statesville.
There are plans to honor the 1961 Kannapolis Legion team on that night at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium.
This season marks the 50th anniversary of Kannapolisí most recent state championship squad (the program also won titles in 1946, 1947 and 1952).
Coach Bill Ford and many players from the 1961 team will be present for ceremonies.
Team members, living and deceased, will be honored.
n Summer baseball
Wesley Barker (North Rowan) has been invited to play for the Mississippi Stars this summer.
Barker will join the all-star team for a tournament at the University of Alabama on June 17-19.
The tournament will include 20 select and American Legion teams from all across the South.
Barker will play in tournaments this summer at Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Delta State as well as a semi-pro tournament in Jackson, Miss.
Barker, whose family is relocating to Mississippi, will play baseball next season for Mississippi College.
n Minor leagues
Chicago White Sox draft pick Keegan Linza (North Rowan) will be assigned to Bristol in the Appalachian League.
n Whit Merrifield (Davie) had three hits on Saturday in Wilmingtonís 9-4 Carolina League win against Winston-Salem.
n Jerry Sands (Catawba) had two hits for Albuquerque on Saturday and owns a .404 batting average in Triple A.
n Wood bat leagues
Shortstop Justin Roland (East Rowan, Charlotte 49ers) and Bryan college pitchers Jason Ridenhour (North Rowan) and Tanner Brown (North) are playing with the Statesville Owls of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League this summer.
Ridenhour won in relief in his first outing.
n Preston Troutman (East, App. State) is playing with the Pineville Pioneers in the SCBL. Troutman started off 3-for-5.
n Lefty Nick Lomascolo (Catawba) is back with the Forest City Owls of the Coastal Plain League this summer. Heís 1-1 with a 3.52 ERA in his first two starts.
n Austin Moyer (Catawba) is playing with the Thomasville Hi-Toms of the CPL.
n Chris Dula (Catawba) is pitching and hitting for the Wilmington Sharks of the CPL. He had some eventful relief appearances, with six strikeouts and six walks in 41/3 innings.
n Ross Steedley (East, Charlotte 49ers) will play for the West Virginia Miners in the Prospect League.
n Prep soccer
Salisburyís Karen Presnell was named to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association All-State team for 2A public schools. Salisburyís Madison Kennedy joined Presnell on the All-Region 7 2A public school squad.
n East Rowanís Abby Kepley and Rachel Hardy-Simpson were named to the All-Region 7 team for 3A public schools.
n Davieís Laura Shelton was named to the All-Region 8 team for 4A public schools.