Lafayette, IN- The Eastern Conference All-Stars Defeated the Western Conference All-Stars 4-3 in the Prospect League All Star Game on Tuesday night. The O’Fallon Hoots players, playing for the Western Conference, represented O’Fallon well with solid contributions.
Hoots Performers:
Nick Bonczkowski- 1-3, 1 R
Sam Paule- 0-2, 1 BB, 1 R
Jake Collier- 1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 R (0 ER)
Drew Politte- 1.0 IP, 1 K
How It Happened:
This year’s game was played in Lafayette, Indiana, and hosted by the Lafayette Aviators. The Western All-Stars jumped out to an early lead, helped by Hoots outfielder Nick Bonczkowski. The two-time Offensive Player of the Week singled to put men on first and third. He then stole second, allowing the runner on third to score on the double steal. After advancing to third on a groundout, Bonczkowski scored on an RBI single by David Kessler (Cape Catfish), making the score 2-0.
Left-hander Jake Collier was selected as the starter for the Western Conference All-Stars. He earned the selection by going 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA heading into the break. Collier put two men on, but was looking to work out of the jam by inducing a double play. Unfortunately, a throwing error by the shortstop led to an unearned run, making the score 2-1. He then struck out Brayden Giesler (Dubois County Bombers) to end his outing.
Hoots pitcher Drew Politte would enter in the third inning and pitched very well in his one inning of work. He started with a strikeout of Griffin Novacek (Springfield Lucky Horseshoes), an impressive accomplishment considering Novacek is tied for the league lead in home runs. Politte then sandwiched a lineout and a pop out around a hit batsman, ending his day by keeping the Eastern Conference All-Stars in check.
The final Hoots All-Star, Sam Paule, also helped contribute to the scoring. After coming into the game in the sixth, Paule would lead off the seventh with a walk. He advanced to second on a flyout to right, and then stole third on a strikeout. Sam Paule then scored on an RBI single by Ean Czech (Quincy Doggy Paddlers). That score helped give the Western All-Stars a 3-1 lead.
The Eastern All-Stars would not be deterred, however. After they put men on second and third with no outs, Will Burke (Danville Dans) singled to bring in a run. Hudson Allen (Dubois County Bombers) hit a two-run RBI double, putting the East up for good 4-3. Breyllin Suriel of the Terre Haute Rex pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
The Hoots representatives will have a day off before the Hoots play again. O’Fallon begins play after the All-Star break at home with games against the Thrillville Thrillbillies and Danville Dans on July 9th and 10th, respectively. The Hoots will look to come out of the gate strong, as they are currently 5-3 in second half play, three games behind the Cape Catfish.
