Story byThe High Point Enterprise, N.C.

Post 87 wins playoff opener over Liberty

MICHAEL LINDSAY, The High Point Enterprise, N.C.Tue, Jul 7, 2026·3 min read

THOMASVILLE — High Point Post 87 started strong to begin the playoffs.

The second-seeded HiToms led by 10 early, rolled behind starting pitcher Ryan Hendricks and won 11-2 over seventh-seeded Liberty Post 81 in the first round of the American Legion Area III baseball playoffs Monday at Finch Field.

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“I think we played really well the first five innings,” Post 87 coach Luke Spiva said. “I think we got a little lax — swings started getting a little too big, started trying to do too much.

“We were trying to get everyone in the game, but I thought we had some selfish ABs. But overall I thought we pitched it good. We were one play away from 10-0 after five, so there’s nothing to complain about.”

Cooper Marks went 3 for 3 for the HiToms, who grabbed a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. Nick Salas, who drove in one, and Travail Barnes, who drove in two, each doubled in a two-hit performance.

Brayden Durham also had two hits and an RBI while Nathanael Lorczak roped a bases-clearing double in the third and later drove in another run on a sacrifice fly — totaling four RBIs for the game — as Post 87 quickly led 10-0 in three innings.

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“Just had a big at-bat from Lorczak there with two outs in the bases loaded,” Spiva said. “I mean, that was kind of a dagger there. I wish we could have finished it in five, but it’s not the worst thing in the world — fairly quick game. We have another one tomorrow night at their place and hopefully we can finish it out.”

Hendricks earned the pitching win, striking out two — but more importantly limiting Liberty to just two hits (one a ringing single in the third, the other a roller in the infield) and one walk.

Post 87 scored four runs in the first — highlighted by run-scoring hits by Salas, Richmond and Barnes — and six in the third — sending 11 batters to the plate in a six-hit inning. Lorczak’s three-run double up the hill in left keyed the outburst.

The HiToms were an out away from a mercy-rule win in five innings. But an errant throw to third allowed two runs to score, and the game — which was squeezed between a pair of late-afternoon thunderstorms — kept going.

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Luke Kimrey, Tai Richmond and Marks each tacked on an inning of relief.

“Overall, I thought we pitched good,” Spiva said. “Hendricks did a great job filling up the zone — he was just all around it. He pitched to contact and was very low with his pitch count.

“I think he had two or three walks. I don’t think he punched out too many guys, but the defense just played good. It’s pretty easy when you get up six, eight runs — just pitch to contact and play the game at that point.”

Tyler Westbrooks had a hit and a run for Liberty, which had four players with one hit each. Bryson Marley took the pitching loss in three innings.

Post 87, after playing Tuesday at Eastern Randolph with a chance to clinch the series, would host Wednesday’s third game if necessary. The quarterfinals are scheduled to begin Friday.