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BRADENTON – The North Division All-Stars rallied for four runs in the ninth to defeated the South Division All-Stars 6-4 and snap a three-year losing streak in the 53rd playing of the Florida State League All-Star Game. The game was played in front of 5,882 in attendance at McKechnie Field on Saturday night.
Bradenton Marauders right-hander Bryton Trepagnier was summoned from the bullpen with a 4-2 lead in the ninth, but four run scored on four hits to thwart the South. Yankees prospect Donte Bichette Jr. singled to lead off the inning. Trepagnier retired Yankee Zach Wilson on a ground out to third to advance Bichette to second, a wild pitch moved Bichette to third, and a walk by Tampa’s Jake Cave put men at the corners. Singles by Austin Green and Marco Hernandez each plated a run, and Gioskar Amaya doubled down the first base line to score the go-ahead runs.
The game got underway after a 65 minute delay. The first two innings went by scoreless. South starter Jose Berrios of Fort Myers surrendered a hit and a walk while striking out two in the top of the first. North starter Taylor Cole worked around singles by Cardinals infielder Breyvic Valera and Mets masher T.J. Rivera to twirl a scoreless bottom half of the inning. Trevor Williams of Jupiter got a double play to escape a bases loaded jam in the top of the second, while Flying Tigers righty Jake Thompson struck out the side in the bottom of the second.
The North Division struck first, plating a run in the third against Bradenton lefty Orlando Castro. Castro allowed a one-out triple to Dunedin center fielder Dalton Pompey, and K.C. Hobson brought his Blue Jays teammate home with a grounder to first.
Valera and Rivera give the South the lead for the first time in the bottom of the third. Both smacked RBI-singles, with Valera adding a stolen base and a run scored to his stat line. He ended up 2-for-5.
Hammerheads righty Reid Redman surrendered a game-tying home run to Wilson on an 0-2 pitch leading off the top of the fourth. The score remained tied until MiLB.com Top Star Adam Brett Walker launched a solo home run to left off Yankees southpaw Daniel Camarena. Camarena walked in a run later in the inning. Walker ended the night a triple shy of the cycle after winning the pre-game Home Run Derby.
Daytona Cubs lefty Andrew McKirahan pitched the bottom of the eighth to earn the win for the North. Lakeland closer Angel Nesbitt pitched a one-two-three bottom of the ninth for the save.
The game was the first ever Florida State league All-Star Game hosted by Bradenton. Marauders right fielder Josh Bell started as the designated hitter and batted cleanup. He reached on a fielder’s choice and a walk but finished 0-for-4. Lefty reliever Josh Smith retired the only batter he faced in the game.
The box score for Saturday's All-Star Game can be viewed here; the recap can be seen here.