Carpet Land seeks to become the first team to capture the American Legion World Series championship since 1939.
It’s been a season of firsts for the baseball team from Lincoln East.
It started in the spring when the Spartans captured their first Class A varsity title. Coach Mychal Lanik’s Carpet Land squad followed with a first American Legion state championship, and then a first regional title.
Now comes the ultimate Legion test as the Spartans move on to the eight-team World Series in Shelby, North Carolina. Carpet Land will seek to become the second Nebraska team to capture the title 84 years after Creighton Prep won in 1939.
“We’re going in with the thought that we have nothing to lose,” Lanik said. “This season has been such a journey but we’re ready to keep it going as long as we can.”
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Carpet Land earned its World Series ticket by defeating Minnesota champion St. Michael 8-7 in eight innings Sunday in the Central Plains Regional final. The Spartans went 5-1 in the tourney while getting contributions from almost every player on their roster.
Watch from the dugout as Carpet Land wins an extra-inning thriller in an American Legion regional championship game.
That’s been important because Carpet Land has been without three Division I recruits in recent days. Nebraska pledges Joey Senstock and Troy Peltz, and Michigan commit Jeter Worthley have been taking part in other showcases.
Lanik said fans shouldn’t chastise the trio for missing out on the Legion series.
“They had to commit a while ago and they had my blessing,” the coach said. “I knew this might be a possibility, but they’re all great kids and have been super supportive of the team.”
Lanik said he’s hopeful that someday Legion officials will tweak the rules and allow players who have been with the team all summer to take part in non-Legion showcases for a short time before being allowed to return to play Legion ball.
“It’s something they’re already talking about,” he said. “It won’t change anything this year, but maybe we’ll see it in the future.”
Despite that adversity, the Spartans haven’t missed a beat. Harrison Biester batted .444 in the regional while AJ Evasco batted .407 and was named the tourney MVP.
Five other starters had lofty regional averages — Garrett Springer (.375), Landon Sandy (.375), Mason Gaines (.346), Ryan Clementi (.312) and Tanner Peterson (.300) — to help carry the offense.
In the championship game, Sandy came through with three RBIs. That includes a walk-off single that sent the Spartans packing for the World Series.
“Landon is a guy who didn’t get a chance to play much during the state tournament,” Lanik said. “But he’s making the most of this opportunity.”
Missouri State commit Springer leads the Spartans in RBIs with 64, while Kansas State pledge Evasco has 55 RBIs and scored a team-leading 66 runs.
Carpet Land pitcher Chase Nelson has given the team from Lincoln East a lift during its American Legion postseason run.
Carpet Land also got solid pitching performances at the regional from Clementi, Carter Mick, Paul Shortridge, Chase Nelson and Luke Larson. Mick, who struck out 10 in a regional win over North Dakota champion Fargo, is expected to get the start in Carpet Land’s Series opener Thursday.
The Spartans, making their first appearance at the eight-team World Series, will find themselves among some tournament mainstays. Defending champion Troy (Alabama) is there, as is three-time champ Brooklawn (New Jersey) and five-time regional champion Cedar Rapids (Iowa).
Lanik said lack of Series experience won’t intimidate his squad.
“I’ve been told to expect 4,000 to 5,000 fans at our opening game,” he said. “I’ve told our guys to go out and play with no fear and have fun.”
It’s been a whirlwind trip for the Spartans, who traveled by bus directly from the regional in South Dakota to Denver. The team flew out of Denver on Tuesday for North Carolina.
Carpet Land pitcher Chase Nelson has given the team from Lincoln East a lift during its American Legion postseason run.
The World Series is divided into two, four-team divisions — the Stars and the Stripes. The Spartans will compete in the Stripes Division with Mid-Atlantic regional champion Brooklawn, Southeast champ Florence (South Carolina) and Great Lakes winner Cedar Rapids.
Competing in the Stars Division are Mid-Atlantic champion Ellsworth (Maine), Mid-South winner Troy, Northwest winner Cheyenne (Wyoming) and Western champion League City (Texas).
Teams will play three round-robin games over four days to start the tourney. The top two survivors in each division play Monday in the semifinals, followed by Tuesday’s final.
Lanik’s squad will open against Florence at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The Spartans are off Friday before playing Brooklawn on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Cedar Rapids on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Games Thursday through Sunday will be streamed on ESPN3. The semifinals and final will be televised on ESPNU.
Carpet Land roster (with season statistics)
Pitchers: Carter Mick (7-0, 0.51 ERA); Chase Nelson (8-2, 1.08); Connor Johnson (3-2, 2.43); Paul Shortridge (9-2, 3.06); Luke Larson (7-0, 3.15); Ryan Clementi (4-1, 3.18); Keith Knaak (3-0, 5.72).
Catchers: Garrett Springer (.423, 64 RBIs); Landon Sandy (.278, 26).
Infielders: AJ Evasco (.437, 55 RBIs); Owen Laessig (.415, 41); Tanner Peterson (.339, 28).
Outfielders: Mason Gaines (.333, 43 RBIs); Kai Burkey (.351, 28); Harrison Biester (.292, 12).
Ineligible for the World Series: Joey Senstock (.368, 40 RBIs); Troy Peltz (.357, 36); Jeter Worthley (.293, 18).
First-round games Thursday
9 a.m.: Cheyenne (Wyoming) vs. League City (Texas). Noon: Brooklawn (New Jersey) vs. Cedar Rapids (Iowa). 3 p.m.: Ellsworth (Maine) vs. Troy (Alabama). 6:30: Florence (South Carolina) vs. Carpet Land (Lincoln East).
Photos: Carpet Land plays Elkhorn South for an American Legion state title
Carpet Land's Garrett Springer enjoys a slice of watermelon during a break in the action against Elkhorn South during the Class A American Legion championship game on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's Owen Laessig (6) and Carpet Land's Paul Shortridge wait for their chance to bat against Elkhorn South during the Class A Legion hampionship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's Garrett Springer looks toward the mound after scoring against Elkhorn South during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land starting pitcher Chase Nelson delivers to the plate during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Elkhorn South's Crew McDonald throws a pitch against Carpet Land during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land players watch from the dugout as their team bats in the first inning during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land players huddle up before taking on Elkhorn South in the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land seeks to become the first team to capture the American Legion World Series championship since 1939.
The ball slips from the glove of Carpet Land's Kai Burkey (2) as he attempts to tag out Elkhorn South's Carson Rauner during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's AJ Evasco recovers to make the catch after the ball slipped from his glove during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's Ryan Clementi (left) fires a throw to first base in an attempt to make a double play as Elkhorn South's Luke Hoskinson slides in during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land's Ryan Clementi fires off a throw to first base in an attempt to make a double play as Elkhorn South's Luke Hoskinson (7) during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Elkhorn South's Connor Preble (left) slides back to first base ahead of a pickoff attempt by Carpet Land's AJ Evasco during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Legion Baseballs wait to be taken out of the box ahead of the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
The ball slips from the glove of Carpet Land's Kai Burkey (left) as he attempts to tag Elkhorn South's Carson Rauner during the Class A American Legion championship on Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
