North Stars claim 1-0 FSL All-Star victory
The North Division used 11 pitchers for a combined 1-0 shutout of the South Division in the 55th Florida State League All-Star Game at Hammond Stadium on Saturday evening in front of 5,102 fans.
In a game dominated by pitching, the North Division broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning. Fort Myers Miracle reliever Yorman Landa took the hill and was greeted with a lead-off double by Lakeland’s Christin Stewart. Landa (0-1) then struck out Aristides Aquino of Daytona and got Dunedin’s Ryan McBroom on an infield pop-up while hitting 102 mph on the Hammond Stadium radar gun and 100 mph three more times.
Then, on a 1-2 count, Brevard County catcher Dustin Houle shot a ground ball through the right side to score Stewart from second base for the only run of the game.
North Division manager Eli Marrero of Daytona deployed a pitching staff that limited the South to just four hits. Clearwater starter Thomas Eshelman got the ball rolling with a scoreless first. Then, Dunedin’s Connor Greene, Lakeland’s Tyler Alexander, A.J. Ladwig and Adam Ravenelle combined to toss scoreless second, third, fourth and fifth innings. Ravenelle (1-0) picked up the win.
Clearwater relievers Elniery Garcia and Alexis Rivero each contributed scoreless outings as did the Blue Jays’ Tim Mayza and Adonys Cardona. Daytona reliever Jimmy Herget got the first two outs of the ninth, but then Jacob Ehret earned the save by recording the final out after facing a pair of South hitters.
Stewart was named the Florida State League All-Star Game MVP and received the Minor League Top Star Award. Stewart was 1-for-2 with two walks, a double and a run scored.
Eight members of the Miracle appeared in the game. Felix Jorge started and pitched a scoreless inning with a hit, walk and strikeout. Stephen Gonsalves, Tyler Jay and Todd Van Stennsel each turned in an inning without allowing a run. At the plate, Nick Gordon was 1-for-1 with a walk. Edgar Corcino went 1-for-4 and Trey Vavra was 0-for-2.