From staff reports

The Rowan County American Legion team starts play in the state tournament on Thursday.

Rowan County (31-10) plays Caldwell County (21-12) in the first round of pool play at High Point University at 7 p.m.

Prior to the Rowan game, Pitt County plays Whiteville in another Stripes Pool game.

The cost for the two-game session is $12.

A story on Rowan shortstop Clayton Gilmore will be in Thursday’s edition.

Rowan plays at Finch Field at 7 p.m. on Friday against Pitt County.

Junior Legion

The Mocksville-Windsor championship game was washed out on Tuesday.

The teams will try to play today at Asheboro’s McCrary Park where there’s a turf infield — at 1 p.m.   

Legion softball

Rowan County’s season ended quietly with a forfeit to Concord in the first round of the playoffs.

Rowan had only seven players available.

Concord advances to play the Davidson County-Kannapolis winner.

 

Local golf

Salisbury’s Charlie Barr shot 4-over 76 in the first round of the Carolinas Amateur being held in Elgin, S.C.

The Cannon School student is tied for 57th.

 

Minor leagues

The Kannapolis Intimidators were rained out on Tuesday.

Kannapolis will try to play two games against the West Virginia Power  today, starting at 5:05 p.m.

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Zac Almond  (Catawba) is having a fine season for Missoula in the Pioneer League.

The slugging catcher has been one of the league’s best hitters, with seven homers, 27 RBIs and a .311 batting average in 25 games.

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Will Albertson (Catawba) hasn’t gotten a lot of at-bats with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, but he’s gone 5-for-15.

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Bryan Blanton (Catawba) is pitching well in relief for the Pulaski Yankees, despite an 0-3 record.

Blanton struck out four of the five hitters he faced on Monday.

Salisbury soccer

Salisbury  soccer camp is being held this week near Wiley Apartments from 9-11:30 daily.

Water is provided. Campers do not need to bring a ball. Any player, male or female, from grades 7-12 is encouraged to attend.

Official tryouts for the Salisbury boys soccer team will be held on July 30-Aug. 2,  at the Wiley Apartments field, from 9-12 daily.

The varsity squad will be posted at the conclusion of Thursday’s tryout.

Practice starts on Friday, Aug. 3, and is held from 9-11.

The first match is against East Rowan at home on Aug. 13.

College tennis

  The NC State men’s tennis team was honored as an ITA All-Academic Team for the 2017-18 season, as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Tuesday.

Michael Ogden  (Salisbury) and Collin Shick also earned individual recognition as ITA Scholar-Athletes.

Ogden gained ITA Scholar-Athlete status for the second time in his career, having last won the award at the end of the 2015-16 season.

He was also recognized for his academic success earlier this season when he earned a spot on the 2018 All-ACC Academic Team.

  On July 21, 2018 in Indianapolis, Ind.,Don Hesprich graduated from the USATF (USA Track and Field Assn.) Coaching Education with a Level II Coaching Certification specializing in the Throws. This includes Shot Put, Discus Throw, Javelin, Weight Throw and Hammer Throw. Coach Don is currently an Assistant Coach at Livingstone College under Head Coach Justin Davis. He also coaches throws for the Salisbury Speedsters Elite Youth Team.