The South All-Stars edged out the North All-Stars in the 2017 edition of the CRCBL All-Star Game by a score of 3-0.

“It was a lot of fun,” South manager David DeSilva, of the Alexandria Aces, said about the game. “We threw the guys out there and let them show their ability.”

56 players from the League’s ten teams were selected to the All-Star Game. They played in front of 29 scouts on Monday night at Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda.

“I thought it was a well-played game,” Cal Ripken League President Brad Rifkin said. “We had great competition and the pitching was excellent.”

A bona fide pitchers’ duel, the game’s only run in the first eight and a half innings came on infielder Max Schuemann’s (Aces – Eastern Michigan) sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third.

“I was just trying to go out there and take advantage of the opportunity,” Schuemann said.

In order to give the All-Stars as much playing time as possible, nine full innings would be played regardless of score. The South All-Stars took advantage of the extra at-bats in the bottom of the ninth. Outfielder Kirk Sidwell (Big Train – Stetson) hit a solo shot to double the South’s lead.

“It was definitely cool,” Sidwell said of his homer. “Good to represent the Big Train, and it was a lot of fun.”

A few batters after Sidwell, his Big Train teammate Kevin Milam (St. Mary’s) drove in the third run on an RBI single. Having pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to earn the save, the two-way superstar won the All-Star Game MVP Award for his contributions on the mound and at the plate.

“You always want to be recognized for the things you do and you always hope that you can play your best,” Milam said. “I’m happy that I was able to be a part of this.”

Congratulations to all of the 2017 CRCBL All-Stars!

Written by Carolina Velloso, Bethesda Big Train Intern

Photo taken by: Brenda Dunham www.eyeonball.com