Clayton Clovers Take Two from Sandhill Bogeys, Win ONSL Championship

The 2024 Old North State League season wrapped up this past weekend as the Clayton Clovers beat the Sandhills Bogeys, taking the first two games of a three game set at Dempsey Diamond at Bogey Ballpark. Each of the games had their fair share of runs scored, as the offenses proved to be key throughout the series; ultimately, the two game set was indicative of the seasons that each team had had up to that point, considering both teams sat atop their respective divisions for most of the season. 

The first game of the series was defined by offense for both teams, something that most people have come to expect from both the Clovers and the Bogeys throughout the season. With each team trying to finish off the season on a high note, runs were in shortage; each team had their own five-run inning, with Sandhills’ coming in the second and Clayton’s coming in the eighth, but the Clovers’ would prove to be the deciding factor in Game 1. Not to be outdone by the offense, pitcher Issei Yanagisawa of the Bogeys threw four innings on Thursday, striking out four while giving up a single run. This performance put the Bogeys in a good spot, but a big night from Connor Witherington, who went 3-5, and Thomas Watson, who had two hits and three RBIs proved to be exactly what the Clovers needed to take Game 1 of the series. 

The series shifted ballparks in Game 2 as the Bogeys tried to save their season and force a Game 3 and send the series back to Clayton, but it wasn’t in the cards for them this year. Although there wasn’t much offense to begin the second game, with pitchers from both teams holding it down for their respective sides, that would all change after the Bogeys took a 3-1 lead heading into the fifth inning. Clayton slowly started to chip away at the lead with a run in the sixth inning to make it a one run game, but their offense came alive in the top of the sixth inning as they pushed across seven runs to take a commanding 9-3 lead heading into the later innings. The Bogeys tried to rally in the bottom of the eighth inning, pushing across a run, but ultimately the deficit would be too much to overcome, and the Clovers were crowned the 2024 Old North State League champions. 

The Clovers ended the season with a 39-3 regular season record and capped off their season with a perfect 6-0 postseason run, while the Bogeys ended up atop the Southeastern division with a record of 24-15.

Although the season has ended, be sure to keep up with the league and its teams on social media and the website to prepare for 2025, where more exciting games and news will be coming your way! 

Image by @swcrute