SUMTER, S.C. — Lexington Post 7 completed a dominant summer by capturing the 2026 South Carolina American Legion Baseball Junior AAA State Championship, defeating Richland Post 215 Gold, 7-4, in the championship game at historic Riley Park.

Lexington carried a three-run advantage into the final inning and held Richland scoreless in the top of the seventh to secure the state title. The victory completed a demanding postseason journey and placed Lexington among the championship programs of the 2026 South Carolina American Legion Baseball season.

The state championship was the final achievement in a season of remarkable consistency for Post 7. According to the official SCALB standings, Lexington finished the regular season with an 11-1 record, including a perfect 6-0 mark at home and a 5-1 record on the road. Post 7 won the Midlands West Division while scoring 79 runs and allowing only 27.

That run differential reflected the balance that defined Lexington throughout the summer. The Post 7 offense consistently created opportunities, while its pitching and defense limited opponents and kept the team in control of games. Lexington entered the postseason having won nine of its previous 10 contests and owning one of the strongest records in the entire Junior AAA Division.

Lexington’s postseason schedule included games against Aiken Baseball Club, Florence Post 1, Sumter Post 15 and Richland Post 215 Gold. The decisive rounds were played at Riley Park in Sumter, where SCALB used a double-elimination format designed to reward the tournament’s most consistent and resilient team.

Post 7 ultimately met Richland Gold twice during the closing stages of the tournament. The championship matchup brought together the winners of the Midlands West and Midlands East divisions. Richland entered the postseason after going 10-2 in league play, while Lexington arrived with its 11-1 record and the confidence of a division championship.

When the state title was on the line, Lexington delivered. Post 7 built a lead, protected it through the middle innings and finished the job by keeping Richland off the scoreboard in the seventh. The 7-4 victory brought the championship trophy back to Lexington and completed one of the finest Junior AAA seasons in South Carolina.

The championship roster included Tanner Johnson, Jamison Rawl, Harper Wooten, Jake Spires, Walker Crumpton, Cannon Britt, Landon Yonce, DJ Jennings, Kelsyn Felton, Hudson Collins, Colton Duffy, Mason Donahue, Ira Bell, Kendall Moorer, David Lillie IV, Isaiah McLendon, Charles “Chase” Rice, Logan Taylor, Brooks Weaver, Hunter Britt and Cayden Day.

The roster drew heavily from Gilbert High School while also including players from Lexington High School, River Bluff High School, the South Carolina Virtual Charter School and the homeschool community. That combination allowed Post 7 to bring together talented players from across the Lexington area under one American Legion program.

Lexington was led by team manager Scott Taylor, who guided the team through the regular season and the pressure of a championship tournament. The American Legion’s national registration page also identifies Taylor as the manager of the Lexington Post 7 Junior AAA program, which represents Lexington in the 17-and-under division.

SCALB describes Junior AAA as an advanced developmental division for younger players preparing to compete at the Senior American Legion level. The division combines high-level summer competition with the Legion Baseball values of leadership, teamwork, citizenship and community representation.

Those qualities were evident throughout Lexington’s championship season. Post 7 represented its community with consistency during the regular season, resilience during the postseason and composure when the championship game reached its final inning.

For the players, coaches, families and supporters of Lexington Post 7, the summer of 2026 will be remembered as a season of division championships, postseason victories and one final celebration at Riley Park.

Lexington Post 7 finished the journey with a 7-4 victory and the title of 2026 South Carolina American Legion Baseball Junior AAA State Champions.