After six straight West division victories, the East division squeaked out a 1-0 win at the 58th North Dufferin Baseball League All-Star Game on Saturday, July 6 in New Lowell.
The junior contest on the other hand was a high-scoring affair with Team Spitfires handily defeating Team Renegades 10-2.
The senior nine inning game showcased great pitching by both the East and West teams with the contest scoreless until the seventh inning when Nate Kramer for the East crossed the plate on a single from Steve Barrett.
The West Stars stranded a runner in each of the three remaining innings but timely defensive plays from the East Stars prevented a run from scoring.
Kastin Winchester had two of the hits for the West including a single and double. Nick Hodgson chipped in with a single.
Steve Barrett and Brett Beardsall hit two singles for the East. Ryan McNeil, Trevor Smith, and Nate Kramer each hit a single.
The West started pitcher Eric Jones. He went four innings giving up five hits while striking out three.
Braden Doiron pitched the next two innings giving up a run on two hits, walking four and striking one out.
Hodgson pitched the last three frames, walking one and striking out one. Hodgson was named the most valuable player for his side while Nate Kramer was named MVP for the East. Both players received a prize package graciously donated by Allturf Ltd.
Spitfires soar over Renegades
The 29th junior division All-Star Game was a lopsided win for the Spitfires as they assembled ten runs to the Renegades two.
The first few innings of the seven-inning contest were scoreless until the third when the Spitfires plated three runs. They added one more in the fourth, two in the fifth, and three in the sixth frame.
The Renegades scored their first run in the fifth and added one in the seventh.
Hits for the winning side were contributed amongst eleven players with Joseph Parke, Ben Larsen, Nolan MacNeal, Liam Reynolds, Dale Critchley, Aiden Pain, Sevan Khalafain, Zach Owen, and Teddy McCollum-Kuntz each hitting singles. Noah Testaguzza hit a double and Zakery Hayward hit a home run.
Team Renegades managed three hits with singles from Ben Nichloson and Jack Larmer and a double from Josh Young.
Team Spitfires used a pitcher each inning giving the start to Luca Cutrone who walked one and struck out one.
Liam Reynolds pitched a perfect second inning with Nolan MacNeal walking one and hitting one batter in the third.
Joseph Parke walked one batter in his inning of work while Noah Testaguzza pitched in the fifth inning and allowed one run on two hits, walked one, and struck out one batter.
Aidan Pain covered the sixth inning striking out one batter. Josh McBride ended the game allowing one run on one hit, walking one with one strikeout.
Brady Reynolds was the starting pitcher for Team Renegades. He pitched two scoreless innings, giving up one hit, walking one and striking out three.
Cody Bryan came into the game in the third inning and managed one out before being replaced. He gave up three runs on one hit and walked three.
James Pritchard pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up one run on two hits, hitting one batter and striking out two.
Evan McFadden pitched 2/3 of an inning allowing three runs on three hits, hitting one batter and striking out one.
Josh Young came in for the fifth frame to make an out and pitched the sixth inning allowing three runs on two hits, walking two and striking out three.
Anson Dupuis, who was also managing the team, came in for the final inning allowing two hits and hitting one batter.
Most valuable player awards went to Zakery Hayward of the Spitfires and Ben Nicholson of the Renegades, his second straight MVP title.
David Anderson photo: Brandon Watson of the West All-Stars is safe after sliding into second base before the ball reaches East All-Star Mason Walker during the senior division all-star game in New Lowell on July 6, 2024.