Alverez Leads South to 5-4 Win
Published on July 17, 2007 under American Association (AA)
Sioux Falls Canaries News Release
Sioux Falls, SD - The North Division took on the South Division in the 2007 American Association All-Star game Tuesday night at Sioux Falls Stadium. The South came away victorious in a 6-4 win over the North in front of a sellout crowd of 5,263 fans.
The North Division is comprised of the Lincoln Saltdogs (LIN), Sioux City Explorers (SC), Sioux Falls Canaries (SF), St. Joe Blacksnakes (STJ), and St. Paul Saints (STP). The Coastal Bend Aviators (CBD), El Paso Diablos (ELP), Fort Worth Cats (FRW), Pensacola Pelicans (PNC), and Shreveport Sports (SHR) make up the South Division.
Solid pitching dominated the first half of the game. It was not until the sixth inning when the South got the scoring started. Mat Kent (ELP) led off with a home run to right center to give the South a 1-0 lead. Brian Fryer (CBD) and James Lofton (CBD) kept the offense going with singles to put runners on the corner. Walter Olmstead (ELP) followed with a single through the left side, allowing Fryer to score, 2-0 South. Home run derby champion, Jorge Alvarez (ELP), hit a three-run homer over the left field fence, giving the South a 5-0 advantage.
The North came back in the bottom of the seventh with a few runs of their own. Tim Marks (SF) singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Seth Pietsch (LIN) drove in Marks on a single up the middle, getting the North on the scoreboard, 5-1. Brian Sprout (STP) doubled to place runners on second and third. Pietsch scored on a groundout by Brett Cooley (LIN), and the North pulled within three, 5-2. Matt Imwalle (SF) singled up the middle to score Sprout from second. After seven innings the South led, 5-3.
The South took one run back in the top of the eighth inning. Olmstead and Alvarez had back-to-back hits putting runners on second and third. Trino Aguilar (PNC) doubled to right center, scoring Olmstead to give the South a 6-3 lead.
The North tried to come back in the bottom of the ninth. Imwalle walked and Paul Weichard (STJ) reached on an error. Tony Garcia (LIN) advanced the runners on a ground out. Then Will Smith (SF) hit a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Imwalle. That was the final run in the game, as the South held on for a 6-4 win over the North.
Cory Walters (FRW) earned the win for the South Division pitching two innings, striking out three batters. Kris Regas (SF) suffered the loss for the North giving up five earned runs in the sixth. Ned Darley (ELP) came in to close the game for the South, earning a save.
The Sioux Falls Canaries will start a seven-game home stand on Thursday, June 19 against the Lincoln Saltdogs. Thursday will be "Cheryl Ladd Bobblehead Giveaway" presented by Royal River Casino.
American Association Stories from July 17, 2007
- Alverez Leads South to 5-4 Win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- American Association Recap - AA
- Smith, Walters Are League's Weekly Best - AA
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