CHERRYVILLE, N.C. - As fireworks were exploding at various locations across the area in celebration of Independence Day on Saturday night, the Cherryville offense was also exploding.  Post 100 scored eight runs in the first inning and never looked back.  By the time the smoke cleared, Cherryville had won the game in seven innings by a final score of 16-2.  The win eliminated Post 455 in the first round of the Area IV playoffs.

In the bottom of the first, the first six Post 100 batters reached base, though only two had hits.  The others had reached by way of two errors, a walk, and a hit batter.  The Cardinals starter Nathaniel Scoggins then struck out the next two and it appeared the damage would be contained.  Mack George would change that when he produced a bases clearing double that hit the top of the left center field fence and stayed in the yard. 

George, who played three sports for West Lincoln High, scored two times and had five RBI on the night as he would later walk with the bases loaded two different times.

Caleb Narron stayed hot at the plate as the short stop, playing in his third year for Post 100, contributed two singles, a double and walked once.  He also scored two runs and drove in two.

Alec Johnson produced at the plate as well scoring two times on three hits with three RBI.

Cherryville sent Matt Bumgarner to the mound and the rising senior at West Lincoln kept the Cardinals bats quiet.  Bumgarner did not allow any hits while striking out two and walking three during the four innings that he tossed.

Lincoln County finishes their season with an overall record of 5-13.  For Cherryville, the win improved their record to 21-4 and move on to play the Gaston Braves in the second round.  They are sponsored by Belmont Post 144 and Stanley Post 266.  They entered the playoffs as the number two seed from the East Division of Area IV.

The Braves advanced by defeating Asheville three games to one, holding Post 70 to three runs in each of the four games.