All Star Game Ends In Tie, King Named MVP
Langley's Jack McLindon and Chantilly's Brian King stood out in Saturday's Gameday All Star Game. The All Star Game ended in a 3-3 tie due to lightning in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Photo By: Marc Gold / Phil Dolinger / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Langley senior outfielder Chris Sievers was superb for the East All-Stars both offensively and defensively. Sievers went 1-for-3 with one run scored, as well as recording 2 put-outs in left field...
Photo By: Marc Gold / Phil Dolinger / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
Sherando senior Nick Merchant represented AA players well in the All-Star game with a shot to the outfield for a stand-up double. Merchant, a 4-hole hitter for his Warrior team, was put into the line-up as a lead-off batter and did not disappoint...
Photo By: Marc Gold / Phil Dolinger / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
CHANTILLY, VA - On Saturday evening, 37 of the best Northern Virginia high school baseball players in 2009, representing 23 different schools, were on hand at Chantilly High School to participate in the first ever All-Star Game presented by GamedayMagazine.com.
The West and East All Star teams were loaded with talent, and early on, the hitters provided the excitement for the many in attendance. However, just as we saw for most of this spring, Mother Nature decided to get in the middle of the outcome, and forced the game to be called in the bottom of the ninth due to lightning. Due to that technicality, there was no official winner with the game ending at 3-3.
Even with the tie, the event was a ton of fun for all involved.
"It was fun to watch," said West head coach Chuck Welch from Westfield. "Sure, we're disappointed that it ended this way, but I think everyone had a good time, which was what this night was all about."
Pitching, for the most part, ruled throughout. Neither team cracked the scoreboard for over seven innings. Osbourn Park's dynamic duo of Matt Wainman and Zach Bargeron were the most dominant on the hill, striking out 7 hitters in just 2 innings of work each.
"All the pitchers out here are talented, and good pitching always beats good hitting," said East skipper John Thomas, from McLean. "Plus, I think some of these hitters haven't really faced these pitchers much, if at all. When that's the case, they're at somewhat of a disadvantage."
Despite the struggles at the plate in the latter innings, both teams found success early in the game at the plate. The scoring started in the bottom half of the first inning off of East starting pitcher Brian Derner of Lake Braddock.
The home West squad opened with a leadoff double by Sherando's Nick Merchant. After a walk to Johnny Bladel of Stone Bridge, Chantilly's Brian King took one deep over the scoreboard. The hometown favorite had struggled the night before in the Home Run Derby contest, but found the perfect swing on Saturday to get the crowd to their feet. King's three-run home run over the left field fence was the first round-tripper in the game's history.
"It was a fastball right down the middle," said King. "I guess I had the home run swing down and got the right pitch for it. It worked out well for me."
It wasn't a cheap homer, either.
"Boy, that ball was crushed," Welch said. "It looked like as if it was on a tee."
For his efforts, King was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
The East team counterpunched in the top of the second against Chantilly's John Colella, who got the start on the mound for the West. They managed three runs of their own on a trio of hits, and got some help with a pair of errors in the inning.
With one out, Chris Sievers - who hails from Langely - nearly duplicated King's feat. Sievers' ball, however, bounced off the top of the wall and remained in play. He ended up at second base, and moved over to third on a fielding miscue in the infield on the next at bat.
Then, a potential force out on a ground ball by Marshall's Kevin Nutter turned into the East's first run when Ryan Williams made a nice backhand play in the hole at shortstop, and his throw sailed left of second base.
Leadoff batter Michael Lott, from Woodbridge High, followed with a base hit up the middle, plating Oakton's third baseman, Adam Henne.
Finally, with the bases loaded, a sacrifice fly to center field by Herndon catcher Zach Leach was enough to drive in the tying score, and the game was knotted at 3-3.
After both teams exchanged three run bursts on the scoreboard, the clubs then exchanged goose eggs against a bevy of new pitchers.
Threats to score came in the bottom of the eighth as well as in the top of the ninth, but both chances were snuffed out.
Soon after, the threat of rain became the newest focus. Umpires decided to call the game with the West batting in the last of the ninth. Lighting bolts were prominent in the sky, and the Doppler Radar was showing nothing but more rain and heavy thunderstorms ahead. After the game, Gameday owner Andy Hayes said the decision to call the game was an easy one.
"We had such a great time with these player and coaches this week, the last thing we wanted to do was put any of them at risk just to see a few more innings of baseball," Hayes said. "Even though I feel a little like Bud Selig, it was the right call to end the game in a tie with the weather, and I think everyone still feels really good about the entire All Star Weekend experience."
The All Star Game was slightly different from the typical high school affair. The length was set to nine innings instead of the usual seven frames.
Substitutions were prominent in the All Star Game, and the message from all of the coaches was simple.
"Enjoy it," Thomas said. "Have fun. Just do the things that got you here. If you're good at stealing bases, then try to steal one. If you're a power hitter, then try for a home run."
Not only did the players and coaches come out and support the event, so did the fans. Over 250 people attended the 1st All Star Game at Chantilly's baseball complex, and next year, Hayes said he thinks it will be even bigger.
"I have no doubt that this event is going to get bigger and better over time. We've seen that with our All Gameday Team Football banquet in the fall, and All Star Weekend will be no different," Hayes said. "Anytime you can get the very best players and coaches to participate, the buzz and the event's popularity will continue to grow."
Gameday's coverage will now turn to the 1st All Star Softball game on Wednesday night. The 9 inning contest will feature the area's best softball players from all over Northern Virginia with first pitch scheduled for 7pm at Chantilly High School. The game will be broadcast live on the Gameday Radio Network and televised for On-Demand viewing later that evening.
DIAMOND SPORTS TRAINING PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Presented By: Diamond Sports Training
Jack McLindon - Langley 2nd Baseman
On a night where hits were scarce, McLindon registered two of the East Team's six hits in the game. He also stole a base and played well in the infield. He finished 2 for 4 at the plate in the contest.
Matt Wainman - Osbourn Park Pitcher
Wainman was the most impressive pitcher in the All Star Game, striking out 4 hitters in just two innings of work on Saturday. The big left had great control of his fastball, and his changeup was nasty. He allowed only 1 hit while he was on the mound.
CROWN TROPHY MOST VALUABLE PLAYER:
Presented By: Crown Trophy of Ashburn:
Brian King - Chantilly 1st Baseman
King got the crowd to their feet with an absolute bomb to left field in the 1st inning. With Sherando's Nick Merchant and Stone Bridge's Johnny Bladel on base, King's blast cleared the scoreboard in left to give the West All Stars the early 3-0 lead. It was a fitting end to a great career while wearing the Chantilly baseball uniform for King, earning him our Crown Trophy MVP Award.
