SOUTHERN DIVISION ALL-STARS
OUTSHINE NORTHERN DIVISION, 7-4
by Kyle Berger, Vermont
Mountaineers
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MONTPELIER (thevermontmountaineers.com) – Sparked by P.J. Antoniato’s
3-for-5, 4 RBI performance, the NECBL’s Southern Division All-Stars defeated
the Northern squad, 7-4 Sunday night before a record crowd of 4,127.
With his team trailing 3-0, Manchester’s Antoniato smacked a bases-loaded
double to plate three runs and tie the game in the top of third inning. He
scored later that inning on an RBI single from Berkshire’s Zach Kalter to
make it 4-3.
Neither team scored again until the ninth inning, when the Southern Division
scored three runs off of McKenzie Willoughby. The big blow of the inning was
a two-run double by Danbury’s Reed Eastley.
Trailing 7-3 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Northern Division loaded
the bases off Newport’s Richie Lentz. He walked Mill City’s Chris Colabello
to force in a run to make it 7-4. That was all the Northern All-Stars would
get, however, as Bobby Tewksbary was called out looking to end the ball
game.
Manchester’s Ryan DiPietro picked up the win, while Keene’s Ryan Turner was
charged with the loss. The relief pitchers from the Southern Division held
the Northern Division hitless from the third inning until Vermont’s Blake
Lalli led off the ninth inning with a double.
The crowd of 4,127 was the most ever to see a baseball game at Montpelier
Recreation Field. Antoniato was named the All-Star game MVP. His teammate,
Doug Hehner, won the Home Run Derby earlier in the day.
