When American Legion Post 70 team hits the field this evening, they will be the post’s first team to advance to the regional tournament since 2013.

Post 70 will take on Dixon Post 45 in a double-header beginning at 4 p.m. in the Southeast Regional Tournament in Asheboro, North Carolina.

“The guys are extremely excited,” said Post 70 head coach Rush Hixon. “The mindset is the same as it’s been all year: it’s business for us. So far everything has gone as we expected.”

After winning the state tournament, Post 70 participated in a round-robin tournament.

“We didn’t come out good in that tournament,” Hixon said. “We came out flat. I was upset with them, and I talked to them about it. After that we got a lot of work in and they have done a lot on their own. They are back in the mode and ready to win and compete at a high level.”

Even though the bats are starting to come alive for Post 70, the ultimate strength is still pitching and defense.

“Right now going in our strength remains with pitching and defense,” Hixon said. “Right now we are swinging the bat well, and it is not far behind.”

This is the first team from Post 70 to make it this far since the team was reformed. The roster is comprised of players who are comfortable in high stakes games.

“They have the bragging rights,” Hixon said. “Troy being a baseball town like it is, this is something that the guys are familiar with. They probably haven’t played on stage like this, but they are excited to be here and to compete on such a high level.”

Post 70 will be one of eight teams heading to the Regional tournament. The teams will play in a double-elimination style tournament with the winner moving on the World Series in Shelby North Carolina on August 11.

The Post 70 roster includes: Hunter Bower, DJ Law, Chase Hartley, Andrew Griggs, Hunter Jones, Casey Henderson, Logan Thompson, John Miller, Gage Herring, Zack Taylor, Parker Warren, Jackson Byrd, John Kelsoe, Robert Willliams, Joey Wozniak, Graham Wilkes and Chandler Davis.