From staff reports

Randolph County Post 45 started strong in the American Legion World Series in Shelby on Thursday.

Randolph held off New Jersey, 6-3, in the last of four games played on opening day.

Randolph scored five runs in the first inning, with the key blow a two-run double by Cameron Morrison, a rising sophomore at Catawba.

Randolph led 6-0 after Dawson Painter’s run-scoring double in the sixth and was able to hold on.

Ryan Hill pitched seven innings and allowed two runs. Nate Ray and Cam Reid (save) closed out the game.

Painter had three hits, while Morrison, Trevor Marsh and Dalton Hammer had two each.

Randolph is off today.

In other Thursday pool games, Massachusetts topped Michigan, 3-2; Nebraska pounded Nevada, 9-1, and Idaho blanked Arkansas, 4-0.

The eight teams are divided into two four-team pools. The top two teams in each pool will advance to the semifinals.

West to Topsail

Barry West, who was an assistant principal and softball coach at South Rowan, is now the AD at Topsail.

The Topsail staff includes former North Rowan and Catawba baseball star Aaron Rimer.

Pro basketball

Former Livingstone star Ty Newman had a successful pro debut in Bolivia this week with 15 points and four assists.

Pro football

L.J. McCray (Catawba)  played 21 snaps for the Carolina Panthers in Wednesday’s preseason win against the Houston Texans.

McCray had four tackles, a half-sack and two quarterback hits.

McCray helped his bid to land a spot on the Panthers’ roster or at least the practice squad.

Minor leagues

Micker Adolfo launched his second grand slam of the season to lead the Kannapolis Intimidators to an 8-4 win against the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Thursday.

The homer was Adolfo’s 16th.

Jake Burger had two hits.  Gavin Sheets  and Aaron Schnurbusch homered.

Kannapolis continues a homestand tonight.

•••

After eight pro games, Toronto prospect Colton Laws (Carson, Charlotte) is 1-0 with an ERA of 1.29.

In 14 innings with Bluefield and Vancouver, Laws has struck out 15 and walked one.

Chiefs Club

Catawba College Chiefs Club members can check out the Catawba Indians at an early practice and pick up their membership packet and football tickets this Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 in the President’s Box on the third floor of the Hurley Press Box at Shuford Stadium.

If you haven’t joined the Chiefs Club and are interested, you can stop by the press box on Saturday and select seats for the upcoming season. You can also join online at www.catawba.edu/chiefsclub or by calling 704-637-4474.

Membership packets that are not picked up will be mailed or delivered.

Catawba will open the season at home on Thursday, Aug.  31 against St. Augustine’s.