ALWS Game 12: Alabama fights its way into the semifinals, but Texas also advances

Troy (Alabama) Post 70 had to win while limiting previously unbeaten League City (Texas) Post 554 to seven runs or fewer in Sunday’s 2024 American Legion World Series group final to advance to Monday’s semifinals.

Troy did both in a big way, reaching its second ALWS semifinals in three years with an 8-0 victory over League City at Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, NC.

Right-hander Cody Walsh threw a three-hitter with six strikeouts after 70 and needed only 80 pitches in the entire game. And Walsh (2 hits, double, 2 RBIs), Houston Markham (3 hits, triple, 2 RBIs) and Payne Jefcoat (2 hits) led Troy’s 12-hit offense.

“Our season was clearly on the line and Cody probably had his best performance of the summer,” said Post 70 coach Ross Hixon after winning a match between his 2022 ALWS champions and reigning ALWS champion Post 554. “We know how good this team is because we’ve seen them so many times over the last few years.”

Despite the loss, League City advances to the semifinals on a three-team tiebreaker, winning the four-team Stars Division with a pool play record of 2-1. In the event of a tie in the group stage, the minimum number of runs allowed is the first tiebreaker. Fargo (ND) Post 2 scored 14 runs, League City 13 and Troy six.

In Monday’s semifinals, League City (29-4) will face undefeated Stripes Division champion Midland (Mich.), Post 165, at 4 p.m., and Troy (32-6) will face Stripes Division runner-up Wilmington Delvets (Del.), Post 1, at 7 p.m.

Monday’s winners will advance to Tuesday’s ALWS championship game at 7 p.m. The semifinals and finals will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

“We survived — barely,” said League City coach Ronnie Oliver. “I have to give credit to their pitcher. He pitched a hell of a game. We hit the ball, but we threw it right at them. When you have three double plays, you don’t win many games.”

Double plays nullified potential comebacks by Post 554 in the second and sixth innings, as League City left a runner in scoring position in each frame after those inning-ending double plays.

Troy scored its first run on Caden Collier’s two-out RBI single in the second inning, then added four runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth. Walsh’s two-run double was the big hit in the fifth inning, and Markham had an RBI triple in the sixth.