July 14, 2008
South Defeats North in NWL All-Star Game
St. Cloud sent six players to the 2008 All-Star game in Madison, WI. On Sunday night St. Cloud's Kevin Johnson took part of the annual home run derby. Mankato's Michael Rockett hit five home runs in each of the two rounds to take home the Home Run Derby Title. Kevin Johnson did not hit a home run in the derby. After the Home Run Derby a local select all star team took on the United States Military team. The local team defeated the US Military team but the fans in attendance showed their support throughout the night for the active military members. All of the players for the military team have either just returned from overseas action or will be going overseas for their tour of duty.
On Monday the five selected River Bats All-Stars took place in a miniature combine. The pitchers and fielders each did a number of drills in front of major league scouts. Derek McCallum started for the North in the All-Star game and played all nine innings picking up an rbi on his final at-bat in the ninth inning. John Atteo pitched 2/3 of an inning and struck out two. Ryan Sheldon allowed a couple of hits and a run in his 2/3 inning of work. Xavier Esquivel was the scheduled closer for the North but the South did not bat in the bottom of the ninth so Esquivel came in to get the final out of the bottom of the eighth inning. Xavier, like he has all season, struck out the batter. Brian Hernandez entered the game for the North midway through the game and picked up a couple of hits. Cory Vaughn from the LaCrosse Loggers helped the South defeat the North as he picked up the Star of Stars Award. Vaughn went 2-3 with 2 doubles a run scored and an rbi.
