Pony League all-stars square off at Clague Park

Catcher Arik Brizes scoops a low, outside pitch that Neil McGrogan takes for a ball. Photo by Alex Long

Westlake Rec Baseball played their annual Pony League All-Star game on June 21 at Clague Park. Pre-game ceremonies started with the introduction of the players.

On the West All-Stars team were Connor Miller, Chris Keller, Matt Akers, Caiden Bowe, Dean Schneider, Michael Boehm, Austin Anderson, Seamus O’Malley, Mark Sargent, Michael Bradac, Adam Dixon and Neil McGrogan. The West team was coached by Ken Kozar.

The East All-Stars team featured Scott Boyce, Bobby Fogle, Mo Hamdan, Eric Fogle, Paul Koszkalda, Arik Brizes, Kyle Kinney, Sam Wagner, Nathan Pigg, C.J. Tinline, Brian Waitrovich and Steven Walker. The East team was coached by Steve Boyce.

Following the team introductions, North Ridgeville V.F.W. Post 9871 provided honor guard service while Kailee Shaver of Westlake sang the national anthem, which ended with a radio-controlled-jet flyover by RC pilot Theon Nelson. Pre-game ceremonies concluded with Navy veteran Jason Raines and his Wags 4 Warriors service dog “Zora” throwing the first pitch to Justin Bateson.

The starting pitcher for the East team was Paul Koszkalda, who gave up 1 run on 2 groundouts and a caught stealing. Caiden Bowe started for the West team, giving up 2 runs on a groundout and 2 strikeouts.

East team offensive leaders were Bobby Fogle with a home run, a triple, and 3 RBIs. Scott Boyce also had a single and a sacrifice for 2 RBIs. West offensive leaders were Matt Akers with 2 singles and 2 RBIs. Dean Schneider went 3-for-3 with a triple, double, single, and 3 RBIs.

Defensive highlights included catcher Mo Hamdan making a tagout at home plate on a relay throw by third baseman Scott Boyce; catcher Arik Brizes picking off a runner at first who took too big a lead; and catcher Matt Akers throwing out a runner trying to steal third base.

Relief pitcher Chris Keller had a very efficient fourth inning for the West team, facing only 3 batters, with 2 strikeouts. Adam Dixon closed the game out in the bottom of the sixth inning with 3 quick strikeouts to save the game for the West team, 14-11.

The evening ended with the presentation of the MVP trophy to Dean Schneider by Westlake High School baseball coach Brendan Zepp, and group pictures on the infield.
    

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Volume 6, Issue 14, Posted 10:04 AM, 07.08.2014