Frontier League blanks Can-Am League 7-0 in All-Star Game

The first-ever All-Star Game between the Can-Am League and Frontier League took place on Wednesday night at Palisades Credit Union Park in Pomona, New York in front of an announced crowd of 4,403. On the heels of a thrilling finish to the Home Run Derby on Tuesday where Grant Heyman of the Rockland Boulders edged Hector Roa of the Washington Wild Things, there was plenty of buzz and energy in the ballpark.

The third inning is where the Frontier League did their most damage of the night against New Jersey Jackals pitcher Eduard Reyes. With runners at first and second two outs, Roa (3 for 5) drilled a single into center field, bringing in Austin Wobrock from the Florence Freedom. A fellow teammate J.J. Fernandez delivered the highlight reel moment of the game, clubbing a massive three-run home run into the right-center field bleachers.

Meanwhile, the Frontier League pitchers stymied the Can-Am League lineup, striking out five through the first three innings of play. In the fourth, the Can-Am League had an opportunity to break through with runners at first and second and two outs. However. Brian McKenna from the Florence Freedom struck out Conrad Gregor from the New Jersey Jackals to end the inning.

Players from the Florence Freedom kept on contributing with Ricky Ramirez Jr. cranking an RBI double down the left field line in the sixth as the Frontier League belted 14 hits in the game. Clutch two out hitting came off the bat of Rob Calabrese from the Evansville Otters in the seventh with an RBI infield single. Shawon Dunston Dr. of the Gateway Grizzlies capped off the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Ten Frontier League pitchers combined to strike out 13 Can-Am League hitters on the night while yielding just six hits and walking two. Dakota Smith from the Gateway Grizzlies finished it off in the ninth retiring Chris Shaw from the Quebec Capitales on a pop out as Tyler Gibson from the Florence Freedom earned the win. J.J. Fernandez ended up taking home the Most Valuable Player Award going 2 for 3 at the dish along with the three-run home run. Jiandido Tromp from the Ottawa Champions led the Can-Am League going 2 for 3 at the plate.