Alonso Home Run the Difference in 3-0 Win
Rochester, Minn. — On Tuesday, July 22, 2014 college baseball’s best players took part in the 2014 Northwoods League All-Star Game presented by Fiduciary Management, Inc. The game was hosted by the Lakeshore Chinooks at Kapco Park on the campus of Concordia University in Mequon, WI in front of 2,106 fans.
The South needed just one home run to defeat the North in the 2014 Northwoods League All-Star Game.
In the fourth inning, Wisconsin Rapids shortstop Zack Domingues (Long Beach State) drew a walk with one out. Third baseman Paul DeJong (Illinois State) of the Wisconsin Woodchucks then singled to bring Pete Alonso (Florida) of the Madison Mallards to the plate. Alonso then proceeded to hit a three-run home run to left center field, and the South had a 3-0 lead.
“I knew he was going to throw me a fastball, it’s a showcase-type deal,” Alonso said. “I just tried to catch some barrel on the ball and not ground into a double-play…and the ball traveled for me.”
The right-handed hitter praised the league for this experience. “Being in the dugout with a Hall of Famer (Robin Yount) was really special…and it was like a big league atmosphere,” he also said.
Alonso was awarded the Star of Stars (MVP) award for his performance in the game.
Green Bay Bullfrogs starting pitcher Roberto Baroniel (Nova Southeastern) picked up the win for the South. Pitching in the fourth inning, the righty gave up one hit and had a strikeout.
Fellow right-hander Tim Black (Central Michigan) of the Madison Mallards, pitched a scoreless ninth with a strikeout for the save.
Tyler Sullivan (Pacific) of the Mankato MoonDogs was the only North batter to have multiple hits on the night as he went 3 for 4 at the plate from the leadoff spot.
Before the game, the North and South teams competed in the Home Run Challenge. The North outhit the South 18-13 and first baseman Levi Scott (UT Arlington) from the Mankato MoonDogs led the North in homers with six. Lakeshore Chinooks outfielder Brett Siddall (Canisius) also had six home runs during his two turns and then won the individual home-run title in a swing off with a majestic, towering 445 ft. home run to right field.
Lakeshore’s first time hosting of the Northwoods League’s All-Star Festivities kicked-off with the All-Star Banquet on Monday, July 21. The featured speaker was the Commissioner of Baseball, Allan H. “Bud” Selig. In addition to Commissioner Selig the teams from the North and the South were introduced by Honorary Managers, Jim Gantner for the North Team and Robin Yount for the South Team.By – Christina Riviere – Lakeshore Chinooks, Communications
