Announcement
AMERICAN ALL STARS RALLY TO BEAT NATIONALS IN 18AAA ALL STAR CLASH
The American All Stars, featuring players from the Rockhounds, Leones and Royals, scored three runs in the fifth and sixth innings to beat the Nationals 7-4 at the Santaluces Complex in Lantana on Wednesday, Dec. 16
The National Stars were players from the South Florida Beach Bums, Chamos and White Sox. A ten minute rain delay and an injury to Jose Corea (Royals) in the fifth inning forced the game to be ended by curfew at 10:00PM. Corea was hit by a pitch thrown by Harving Lejarazo of Chamos and suffered a broken nose. He was first administered to by Emergency Medical Technicians who came to the field, and later treated and released from JFK Hospital in Lantana. Fortunately, there was no damage to Jose's eye and no stitches were needed.
The Nationals held an early 1-0 lead on a solo home run by White Sox third baseman Jason Davis, and pitchers Matt Schnelly (Beach Bums) for two innings, Victor Prieto (Chamos) for one and Lejarazo for one kept it that way. However, the Americans broke through against Lejarazo in the bottom of the fifth. Danny LaPerna (Rockhounds) launched a long triple to left center and scored on a wild pitch to tie it at 1-1. Corea was then hit by a pitch and courtesy runners Eric Morales (Rockhounds) and Max Johnson (Royals) scored on a two out single by Jorge Lopez (Leones) and a throwing runner on a rundown between second and third.
The Nationals snapped back to tie it with two in the sixth on Ricky Dominguez' two run single, but the Americans took the lead for good with three more in the bottom of the sixth. Thiree walks, a wild pitch, stolen base and a two run single by the Royals' catcher James Schroeder made it 6-3.
Both teams added a run in the seventh, and after the Nationals failed to score in the top of the 8th inning, the game was called due to the time limit. LaPerna, who pitched two innings in relief, got the win, and his Rockhounds' teammate Brian Fitzsimmons pitched a scoreless inning for the save. Charles Sano, who gave up three unerned runs in the sixth inning, was tagged with the defeat. Schroeder was the only player on either team to get two hits, along with two runs batted in. He was selected as the game's Most Valuable Player and was given an NABA MVP All Star plaque. All participants were given an NABA Commemorative All Star shirt. The 18AA All Star game is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7PM at Santaluces. .
