'AA' Nationals holds off Americans, 8-7

The Central Amherst "AA" National and American League all-stars faced each other on June 16. The game was exciting and undecided until the final inning, with the National League winning 8-7.

The American League all-stars scored four runs in the first inning. Tommy Gioia recorded a single and Sammy Lobuzzetta hit a double to bring home several runners. Cameron Ciesielski, Ian Snyder and Ian Smith crossed home plate in the inning. When it came time to show their defensive skills, the American League kept the momentum as Gioia struck out several batters and pitched a scoreless inning.

The National League all-stars closed the gap in the next inning. Reed Bihary struck out three of five batters. Brian Zapfel was held at second base after hitting a leadoff double. Bo Stroud began the inning for the Nationals with a single and Michael Greco hit a double. Matt Boccio, Natalie Blatz and Clark Mazzio hit singles to score runners and bring the game to 4-2.

In the third, defensive plays by Stevie Vukelic and pitcher Andrew Hill prevented more runs from scoring. The American League's Liam Comerford and Gioia scored earlier in the inning to bring the score to 6-2. A single by William O'Connor, followed by a double from Vukelic, brought the Nationals back. Stroud, Greco and Boccio had RBI singles to tie the score at 6-6.

Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth inning behind the pitching of O'Connor and Sammy Lobuzzetta. Stroud made a great catch at shortstop and Ciesielski had an outstanding catch in center field before throwing to second for a double play. In the fifth, National League pitcher Boccio recorded two strikeouts and threw a third batter out at first base. Liam Sullivan and O'Connor scored for the National League after Joe Tomczak and Boccio contributed RBIs by advancing to first base on walks.

In the final inning, the American League's Jake Maley hit a leadoff double and later scored after Jonathan Spina moved him to third on a single and Ryan Staggs brought him home on a nice hit.

Sullivan, pitching for the National League, fielded a ground ball and made the throw to first for the second out, before striking out the final batter for a 8-7 victory.

During the game, Marcellus Cooper played well at catcher, and Gabrielle Lasher and Zapfel each struck out three batters for the American League. National Will Sanderson made several throws from left and center field to hold runners from scoring.

Vince Lobuzzetta coached the American League and Eugene O'Connor coached the National League team.