North Battles Back with Seven Unanswered Runs, Willis MVP
The South jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the North in the American Association All-Star game on Tuesday night, only to see the North come back with seven unanswered runs on their way to a 7-3 victory. Colin Willis came on as a reserve and stole the show, going 2-2 with one runs and two RBI and was at the heart of both late inning rallies for the North.
The South took the lead two batters into the game. Sioux City Explorers shortstop Nate Samson led off with a double into right field against St. Paul Saints starter Eddie Medina. That brought Cleburne Railroaders third baseman Chase Simpson to the plate, who fouled off two two-strike pitches to stay alive before blasting a two run homer over the wall in right-center to put the South up 2-0.
The game remained that way until the fourth when the South All-Stars extended their lead to three. With one down, the Railroaders John Nester doubled into left field and Sioux Falls Canaries infielder Alay Lago brought him home with a double of his own.
Trailing by three the North would respond with a run in the bottom of the frame. With Lincoln Saltdogs reliever Austin Boyle on the hill, Saints slugger Brady Shoemaker led off with a double into the gap in right field. A single by the Chicago Dogs Keon Barnum moved him to third, and Shoemaker scored when RedHawks third baseman Leobaldo Pina plated him with an RBI ground out.
An inning later the deficit became one. The Saints Josh Allen singled with one down and moved to second when teammate Dan Motl reached on an error. That brought Goldeyes shortstop Wes Darvill to the plate, who singled up the middle to make it 3-2.
One inning later, the North would tie the score. Explorers closer Matt Pobereyko came on looking to hold the lead. Dogs outfielder Victor Roache led off and worked the count full before blasting a drive over the wall in left to tie the score at three.
The North was unstoppable at this point. In the seventh, the team would take the lead for the first time in the contest. RedHawks infielder T.J. Bennett led off with a single and moved to second when the RailCats Colin Willis doubled to left. Darvill then grounded to short but that scored Bennett to put the North on top 4-3. Willis then came home on a wild pitch, increasing the lead to two.
In the eighth, the North put the game away. With one down, Saints catcher Jeremy Martinez, RedHawks outfielder Devan Ahart, and Bennett drew back-to-back-to-back walks. That brought Willis to the plate, who worked the count to 2-2 before dropping a flare over the first baseman’s head. Two runners came around to score, giving the northern All-Stars a 7-3 lead.
In the ninth, Goldeyes closer Victor Capellan came on to finish it off. He started the inning by issuing a walk, but then retired the next three batters to end the contest.
The North received outstanding work from the bullpen. The last four pitchers to enter the game – Saints Todd Van Steensel, RedHawks Geoff Broussard, Milkmen Myles Smith, and Capellan – did not allow a hit over the final four innings. Broussard earned the victory.
Colin Willis only had two plate appearances but made the most of them. The RailCats outfielder was a perfect 2-2 with two doubles, a run scored, and two RBI.
The regular season in the American Association resumes on Wednesday. All 12 teams are in action.
By Robert Pannier
Images by Travis Luberts and Kathy Stetz, Capture Twin Cities
Transactions
Cleburne Railroaders
Released INF Kenny Meimerstorf
Gary SouthShore RailCats
Released LHP Tasker Strobel
Lincoln Saltdogs
Released RHP Parker Robinson
St. Paul Saints
Released RHP Ryan Schlosser
Sioux Falls Canaries
Released RHP Reilly Hovis and removed INF Mitch Glasser from the active roster to play for the Israeli National Team in the European Championship qualifying series
Texas AirHogs
Released RHP Taylor Wright
Winnipeg Goldeyes
Released LHP Grant Borne