Whiteville wins 10th state baseball championship, ending seven-year title drought
WHITEVILLE, N.C. (WWAY) — The Whiteville High School baseball team is celebrating a historic achievement after capturing its 10th state championship Thursday night, defeating East Rutherford 3-2 to claim the title.
The victory marks the Wolfpack’s first state championship since 2018 and adds to a baseball tradition that dates back decades. Whiteville won its first state title in 1983.
For senior Layton McLean, the championship was the culmination of a lifelong dream.
“It was amazing, surreal, dreams came true,” McLean said.
McLean said his passion for baseball began when he was a young child playing T-ball and grew throughout his years in Whiteville.
“Since I was three or four years old, it started with t-ball, played every year up until this point and dreamed for it and always supported this community, it’s been home,” he said.
McLean played a key role in the championship game, pitching into the seventh inning. As he began to tire, the Wolfpack turned to his younger brother, Luke McLean, who helped secure the final outs and preserve the victory.
“It felt like we had lost momentum, nobody put their head down though, so we kept rolling,” Layton McLean said.
The championship also capped the first season for head coach Connor Grainger, who said the team’s perseverance helped carry it through a challenging year.
“I told the boys going into it, it was going to come down to almost who wants it more,” Grainger said. “I know it’s been a long day out there.”
Grainger said winning a state championship is a rare experience for high school athletes.
“Not a lot of players, and high school players get to experience moments like that yesterday,” he said.
The celebration continued into the early morning hours Friday, with players, coaches and fans gathering at Legion Stadium at 1 a.m. to commemorate the title.
Whiteville High School Principal W.T. Edwards said the championship reflects the support the team receives from the community.
“The whole community is behind it,” Edwards said. “It’s a win for our school, it’s a win for those young men, but it’s also a win for our whole community and what magic actually happens here at Whiteville High School.”
