Whiteville beats East Rutherford for baseball state championship No. 9

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. — In a battle between two state powerhouse programs, Whiteville outlasted East Rutherford, 3-2, to win the 2026 NCHSAA 3A title.

The Wolfpack took game one, almost stole game two, but used a big third inning and solid defense to win its ninth state championship.

“We knew after game one it wasn’t going to be easy,” Whiteville head coach Connor Grainger said. “We had to come out here and play the right way. I had no doubt we were going to show up and play. These guys go to work every day, and I’m just happy they get to experience this.”

Senior Layton McLean was named the Most Valuable Player. McLean started on the mound in game three, earning the win. As he stood on the field with his MVP trophy in his hand, McLean couldn’t help but marvel at how his team battled the last two days.

“We knew we had to fight,” McLean said. “East Rutherford is a good program, but we find ways to battle. We always have.”

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The Wolfpack (22-7) won game one, 4-1, almost came from being down three runs to win game two, and took a 3-0 lead, never surrendering it, in game three.

“I found heart in every single one of our guys,” McLean said. “Every single one of our guys showed grit and heart today.”

Whiteville scored three runs in the top of the third to start the scoring. The Wolfpack picked up three consecutive singles to load the bases, and Cavs pitcher Luke Bailey walked Wyatt Torelli for the first score of the night.

• View Photos: Whiteville vs. East Rutherford, Game 3 (May 28, 2026). HSOT Insiders can download championship photos for free. Here's how.

Later in the inning, McLean drove in two runs for the 3-0 advantage. The Cavaliers, winners of back-to-back 2A titles, weren’t going to lay down easy.

East Rutherford’s Matthew Pinkerton drove in the first run of the day for the Cavs, and two batters later, Brody Wilson drove in a second run with a single to make it 3-2 in the bottom of the third.

After trading jabs for the next three and a half innings, East Rutherford went into the bottom of the seventh with a chance to tie or win it. With one out on the board, Grainger brought in Luke McClean, two outs away from a state championship. McClean picked up the 4-1 win in game one and got the final two batters out, with help from his defense, to secure the win.

The Wolfpack only picked up two hits in the title game, but its defense was spectacular.

After the win, Whiteville accepted its trophy and immediately went to the stands to pose for one more picture with the fans who made the trip to Wake County. Grainger called the Wolfpack faithful the best community in the state.

“This is what it’s about,” Grainger said, pointing to the crowd. “These fans, this community, we fed off of them all year, and it showed. As a high school player, this is the environment you want to play in, and I’m just thankful to be here.”

Box Score

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