WHITEVILLE—Ty’Lae Rose hit a two-run homerun in the bottom of the third inning to break open a close Game 3 to lead Whiteville to the 3A State Championship in baseball Saturday night with a 14-8 over Midway.
The win puts Whiteville (19-7) against East Rutherford (24-5), the 2025 2A State Champions. Leading 2-1 in the third, Rose’s blast led to a four-run inning, from which the Raiders never recovered.
Pitching was an issue for Midway all night as their ace Tanner Williams was relegated to playing center field, due to the NCHSAA pitch count rule. Cameron Tew was 3-4 with a homerun and two RBI’s while teammate Cameron Register went two for four with two runs batted in for Midway in the loss.
The Raiders were also 2A Eastern Runners-up in 2025. Midway ends its season at 20-8.
Sidney Miller picked up his first victory of the year for the Wolfpack, pitching 3.1 innings and giving up one run on three hits. Luke Merritt had a great night at the plate, with two hits and three runs scored. Wyatt Torelli added three hits and two RBIs in the Wolfpack victory.
The Wolfpack are seeking their 10th State Championship in baseball. The Pack last won it in 2018, going back-to-back winning the 2017 with a pair of titles.
Whiteville won the 2A Championship in 2012, the 1A titles in 2014, 2015, 2017, and took the 2A Championship in 2018. The Wolfpack also lost the 1A Championship in 2016.
The upcoming contenders, the East Rutherford Cavaliers, are no stranger to championship baseball themselves. The Cavaliers have appeared in 10 championships and won seven, including last year’s title.
The three-game championship series will take place at North Main Athletic Park in Holly Springs. Game 1 Is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Game 2 is scheduled for May 28 at 2 p.m. and if necessary, a Game 3 will take place at 8 p.m. that night.
MIDWAY 0 1 1 4 0 2 0- 8 9 0
WHITEVILLE 1 1 4 8 0 0 X-14 13 2
