Post 52 opens up season this week

This week kicks off the Easley Post 52 Legion Baseball season and head coach Jonathan Powell is ready for it all to begin.

“I think we have one of the toughest leagues in the state,” said Powell, right before a recent practice. “I’m from North Carolina where legion ball is huge up there.”

The one thing that really jumps out this season is the pitching depth that Post 52 has on their team.

“This year, I was really trying to recruit a lot of arms,” said Powell. “I have 13 to 14 arms that can throw. You can never have too many. We had a couple of guys go down last year unfortunately. It’s going to be tough playing a lot of these kids - great quality players and great young men on and off the field. They just have to buy into the system and what we are trying to do, and get legion baseball back where it should be.”

Powell said they have an 18-game schedule this season.

Easley native Darren Brezeale, a 1988 Pickens High School grad, will be returning as an assistant coach for Post 52. He said he is more like the General Manager who helps oversee the entire team.

“I’ve been playing ball and coaching ball all my life,” Brezeale said, entering his ninth season with the legion program. “I’ve coached at the high school level, travel ball, showcase and have given private lessons. I love legion baseball and I think it is a great thing. A lot of the tradition we’re trying to bring back and I feel good about our team. We definitely have the biggest talent pool - it’s just getting these guys to gel. A lot of them know each other because they played against each other.”

Eli Atkins (16, 1B/P, Home Schooled): “Ronald Acuna. He’s a stud.”

Brayden Bryson (18, P/INF/OF, Easley HS): “The Atlanta Braves because they play hard and have fun.”

Cody Lancaster (19, C/OF, USC Lancaster): “The Atlanta Braves have always been my favorite team because it is who I grew up watching.”

CJ Martin (19, SS, North Greenville HS): “My favorite baseball player is Freddie Freeman because of how he carries himself on and off the field. I try to show my faith in Christ through the game of baseball. Freddie does the same.”

Joey McGovern (17, OF, Seneca HS): “My favorite team is the Chicago Cubs because my family is from Chicago.”

Reid Smith (18, 1B/3B/C, Lander HS): “My favorite baseball team is the Dodgers. I grew up a big Dodgers fan due to my mom being a Dodgers fan. My favorite player is Brad Miller. He’s been in the pros for 10 years and I try to model myself after him. Miller has been a great teammate and clubhouse guy, so I like to do those things myself as a player.”

Cam Williams (18, 1B/3B/P, Pendleton HS): “Clemson because it is local - or the Atlanta Braves.”

2024 Easley Post 52 Schedule

Monday, June 3: GOLDEN STRIP POST 271, 7 p.m., Alice Mill Park

Tuesday, June 4: GOLDEN STRIP POST 271, 7 p.m., Alice Mill Park

Wednesday, June 5: at Golden Strip Post 271, 7 p.m. at Hillcrest High School

Friday, June 7: at Cherryville Post 100, 6:30 p.m., at John L. “Buck” Fraley Field

Saturday, June 8: at Columbia Post 19, 7 p.m., at Keeter Stadium, Shelby NC

at Shelby Post 82, 7 p.m., at K