North All-Stars 4
South All-Stars 2
Aug. 18 in Aberdeen
Cyclones’ pitchers Gaby Almonte and Alex Palsha each pitched a scoreless inning for the South in a 4–2 loss to the North in the New York-Penn League All-Star Game.
Brooklyn second baseman Vinny Siena entered the game in the fifth inning and went hitless in two at-bats.
Due to promotions and injuries the game was only eight and a half innings, meaning the South didn’t bat in the bottom of the ninth despite trailing by a run.
Williamsport ace Mitch Gueller got the start for the South, but the North was not intimidated with the league leader in wins and earned-run average, scoring three times in the top of the first.
The big blow was a two-run double from Tri-City ValleyCat Dexture McCall, who was named the game’s most valuable player.
Cyclones hurler Gaby Almonte, who has won six of his 10 decisions, entered in the second inning, and set the North down in order on three ground outs.
The North made it 4–0 in the fifth on a run-scoring single from Batavia Muckdog Brad Haynal.
The South scored its first run of the night with Vinny Siena at the plate.
With a runners at first and third and one out, Batavia pitcher Jordan Holloway uncorked a wild pitch to make it 4–1.
Siena grounded out, advancing the runner to third.
Williamsport Crosscutter Mark Laird scored on a two-out error as the lead was cut to 4–2.
Siena batted again in the seventh with Laird on second and one out. Facing Connecticut Tiger Drew Smith, Siena grounded out, stranding Laird at third.
Cyclones closer Alex Palsha pitched a 1-2-3 eighth, getting McCall to grounded to short, Lowell Spinner Josh Ockimey to ground to third and Spinner Victor Acosta to fly out to center.
The South had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth as State College’s Leobaldo Pina came to the plate with runners on second and third.
West Virginia pitcher Dario Agrazal got Pina on a fly ball to right.
The game ended with a nice play by a Cyclone Siena, who ranged up the middle and threw to first to retire Hudson Valley’s Joe McCarthy.
The Cyclones are back in action tonight at MCU Park, where the boys will take on the Lowell Spinners.
