GLENDALE – The American side routed the National side 14-3 in the annual California Collegiate League All Star Game on Wednesday night. Foresters head coach Bill Pintard coached the winning side, and 16 of the 18 Foresters honored with an invitation to the game saw the field for the Americans in the victory.
The game featured dozens of prospects from around the league, as no pitcher threw for more than an inning, and defensive substitutions were made often.
“The main goal of the CCL All Star Game is to give our players a chance to showcase their abilities to a national audience.” Commissioner Pat Burns explained.
Foresters pitcher Austin Kubitza (Rice) was elected as the American’s starter, and made the most of his one inning of work. Kubitza struck out one batter ended the first after just 10 pitches.
“He’s a really good pitcher,” Pintard said. “He’s the cream of the crop.”
J.C. Aguayo (Conejo, NW Oklahoma State) started for the Nationals and came into the game leading the CCL in almost every statistical category for pitchers. He had tormented the Foresters in two previous league meetings, but lacked his usual controlled and calm demeanor. Michael Ratterree (Santa Barbara, Rice), last year’s All Star MVP, led the game off with a double, and eventually scored after an error by Aguayo.
The Americans led 2-0 after the fourth, and would go on to score in seven of the nine innings played.
Stephen Johnson (St. Edwards), Mitch Mormann (Witchita State), and Brad Kottman (Rice) were the other Forester pitchers featured on Wednesday night, and Johnson was the only one to allow a hit or run.
Twelve Santa Barbara field players contributed to the American side. Shanke Kroker (CSU Chico) was 2-2 after replacing his teammate Christian Summers (Texas) at shortstop. Nine of the American’s seventeen hits were recorded by a Forester.
While the Foresters’ accomplishments were collective, the highest individual honor was given to Andrew Allen (MLB Academy, CSU Los Angeles). Allen came in for James Wharton (Santa Barbara, LA Pierce) and turned in an impressive defensive performance at first base, in addition to a 2 RBI double, a run scored, and an inside the park home run in his MVP-winning performance.
In the sixth inning, Allen crushed a ball into left field. Listed at 230 pounds, Allen is not known for his speed, but built up plenty of momentum as he rounded second. The Nationals left-fielder lost track of the ball and the throw met Allen at the plate. The big first baseman jarred the ball loose as he stepped on the base to complete the most exciting play of the evening.
“That might be my first one since Little League,” Allen elatedly said about his highlight.
Bill Pintard praised the aggressive base running that his winning side showed, and is characteristic of his Forester teams.
“We talked about it before the game,” he said. He told his players, “You guys played against the Foresters, you know how we are, we want to go hard.”
“And hard they went,” Pintard concluded with a smile.
The Foresters will stay down in Glendale as they resume league play tomorrow against the Anglenos at 6:00 PM.
All Forester games are broadcast on AM 990 KTMS and www.sbforesters.org.
GAME NOTES: Riley Moore and Austin Dicharry were the only two Santa Barbara All Stars not to appear in the game… Santa Barbara’s 18 All Stars was a league high… All Star MVP Andrew Allen has been drafted by an MLB team 3 times in the last 4 years… 64 CCL players were selected in the 2011 MLB Draft… The game was broadcast live on Fox Sports West for the second consecutive year.
In a game the purpose of which is to showcase talent, why did two Foresters not get a chance to play. I would think everybody should get a chance no matter how small.