The Sandhills Bogeys won their home opener Saturday afternoon at Sandhills Community College. The Bogeys are part of the Old North State League and are in their inaugural season.
The Old North State League is in its fifth season. The league is made up of college players who use wooden bats.
Moore County hasn’t seen collegiate or higher level baseball since 1976. Sandhills Community College had a baseball team for several years. Long before Sandhills Community College’s team, Moore County hosted several leagues of professional baseball in the early 1900s. Moore County is no stranger to good baseball as all three high schools are competitive and multiple Moore County natives have gone on to play professional ball.
The community showed their support Saturday by breaking an Old North State League attendance record with over 800 fans packing the newly built stadium.
The Bogeys entered the night 0-2 on the season and hosted the Fayetteville Chutes for the home opener. The Bogeys came out swinging in the first inning working through their lineup.
James Rice was first at bat and would fly out to center field. Zach Fritts got things started with a walk and stealing second and third. Number 14, Moore County native Riley Cameron, smashed a left-field home run for two RBIs. This was the first home run hit in the new ballpark but wouldn’t be the last of the night.
After Cameron cleared the bases, Noah Evington struck out. Ashby Vining hit a chopper to center field for a single and stole second. Bryson Horney added more runs with a line drive to left field for an RBI double. Jordan Smith had his first of two home runs to right center collecting two RBIs. Carter Crow and Andrew Chapman both walked. Crow stole second and was later thrown out trying to steal third to end the inning.
The Bogeys won the historic opener, 9-0.
After the game, Sandhills Sentinel caught up with Cameron to ask him about the game. “It felt great, I’m glad I got to play in front of my family, friends and everybody in the community. Very excited for the summer.
When asked about the first home run in the new park, Cameron said, “It felt great. I needed it to get back on track.”
Moore County native Riley Cameron signs fans’ hats on June 11 at the Sandhills Bogeys’ home opener. Photo by Curtis Self/Sandhills Sentinel.
The bogeys will be home again on Sunday at 4 p.m. The ballpark is located at the back of the college. The park seats around 500 behind the plate bleachers. There are open spaces around the park for chairs or blankets. They offer a different food truck every night and concessions.
You can find the roster of the Bogeys and what colleges the players attend here. You can also see their schedule here.
Feature photo and photo gallery by Sandhills Sentinel Photographer Melissa Schaub.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Curtis Self.
