West Stars win summer classic
The North Dufferin Baseball League’s senior and junior division All-Star Games were played Saturday with the West squeaking out a 7-6 win over the East and the Mavericks downing the Dingers 15-6.
The East versus West nine-inning affair at Gowan Memorial Park in Creemore was played first at 1 p.m. and was dedicated in memory of Bailey Durocher, an Owen Sound player who died in a motor vehicle collision on June 17.
The West opened the scoring in the second inning with two runs when Bryce Watson hit a home run. The West added a lone run in the third to take an early 3-0 lead.
The big inning for the East came in the fourth frame, with an opening solo home run by Jesse Bartle immediately followed by another dinger from Dylan Embury. Another two runs were scored giving the East a 4-3 lead.
Both teams answered with a run in the sixth and the East took a two-run advantage in the seventh, tacking on another run.
In the bottom of the ninth inning the West plated two runs to tie the game and with the bases loaded, a misplayed ball to the shortstop hit by Brett Elliott ended the game when Tyson Pendleton crossed the plate.
Jamie Gillespie pitched three innings for the West, gave up no runs and no hits, allowed three walks and one hit batter, while striking out six.
Jeff Christman entered the game in the fourth and over his three innings allowed five runs on four hits, walking three and striking out one.
Kris Allary toed the rubber for two innings, giving up a run and one hit, walking one and striking out five batters.
In the ninth frame, Tom Gateman closed the game giving up one hit and striking out two.
Nick Hodgson started on the mound for the East. He pitched five innings allowing three runs on seven hits, walking two batters and striking out three.
Ryan Bartley entered in the sixth for a lone inning. He gave up one run on two hits.
In the seventh and eighth innings, Matt Barr struck out four batters giving up no hits or runs.
Pietro Di Sabatino took the loss when he entered the game giving up three runs on one hit and walking three batters.
The West had eleven hits, with singles from Tristan Cabral, Logan Wallace, Kyle Windsor, Steve Barrett, Steve Bowman, and Tyler Greer. Elliott and Pendelton both singled and doubled and Watson hit the home run.
In addition to Bartle and Embury with home runs for the East, Ryan Barr singled, Jake Brennan doubled, and Aaron Arbon hit a single and double in the losing cause. This was the fifth consecutive win for the West over the East. Matt Barr of the Ivy Rangers for team East and Jamie Gillespie of the Clearview Orioles for team West were named the most valuable players for their pitching performances.
Mavericks Outgun Dingers
The junior contest featured the Dingers and the Mavericks. The high scoring game ended in the Mavericks favour 15-6.
The Mavericks pounced early with a single run in the first frame followed by seven runs in the second inning. Another two were added in the third, four in the fourth and a single run in the sixth inning.
It was the second inning when the Dingers managed two runs, a single run in the fourth followed by two in the sixth and one in the seventh.
Pitching duties for the Dingers had Lucas Shepherd on the mound. He pitched four innings allowing ten runs on 12 hits, one walk, and a single strikeout. Lucas Watters pitched the fourth and fifth innings, giving up three runs on one hit, two walks and two hit batters, recording two strikeouts.
Aaron Dempsey pitched the final inning allowing one run on two hits, and walking two batters.
Will Payne was given the nod for the Mavericks and over his three innings allowed two runs on two hits, walking two batters and striking out four.
In the fourth and fifth, Wyatt Thompson allowed one run on two hits, walked two, and struck out two.
Nolan MacNeal finished the last two innings allowing three runs on three hits, walking two with one hit batter, and striking out one.
The Dingers were limited to seven hits with singles from Logan Hart, Aaron Dempsey, and Reid Deibert. Watters and Dylan Brown doubled and Mario Accardo had a single and double.
The Mavericks doubled their hit total with 14 for the day. MacNeal, Zane Brandt, Josh Richens, and Anson Dupuis singled, Dale Critchley and Payne contributed with two singles, while Cyrus Brandt had three singles. Logan Sheppard hit a double and Lucas Mackey singled and doubled.
For his stellar pitching and batting performance, Payne of the Georgina Bulldogs was awarded the most valuable player title for the Mavericks. Accardo of the Caledon Nationals picked up the title for the Dingers.
