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The Beaufort County Post 15 Junior American Legion baseball team’s bid for a state title ended with a 10-5 loss to eventual champion Davidson County in the semi-finals in Goldsboro.

Emerson Howell hit his second home run of the tournament in Friday’s game and Jackson Harding had a key double to bring Post 15 back from an early deficit. They had runners at second and third late in the game but couldn’t bring them around and their season ended with a 14-9 record after starting 3-6.

“Our first goal at the beginning of the season was to make it back to the state tournament and we did,” head coach Bobby Boyd said. “Our second goal was to win a game and we won two. I’m really proud of all the players for their effort and dedication and the parents committed to this as well.”

Post 15 reeled off six straight wins to end the regular season, then won three of the four games in the area tournament. They won their first state tournament game, 6-3, over Matthews, lost 12-5 to Williamston, fought off elimination with a 5-2 win over Bear Grass, then lost to the eventual champs.

Caleb Grandy, Harding, Howell, Joshua Lewis, Jacob Spivey and Evan Woolard were part of both state tournament teams and will be too old to play next year.

“The guys who have been with us the last two summers have helped but Beaufort County back on the map in Legion baseball,” Boyd said. “They represented our area with class and tried their best every game. We’ll need to replace anywhere from six to 11 of them next year and hopefully our recent success will help us attract more good players.”