Lunkers all-stars, North fall just short

THUNDER BAY, Ont. - Pitcher Dennis O'Grady of the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers struck out two, allowed one hit and issued a walk, but the North Division lost 4-2 in the Northwoods League All-Star Game on Tuesday night at Port Arthur Stadium.

Jimmy Tanner (Battle Creek Bombers) plated a run for the South Division in the fourth inning, Jerrud Sabourin (Madison Mallards) scored in the sixth, and Kurtis Muller (Madison) and Riley Henricks (Green Bay Bullfrogs) each scored in the seventh.

Trailing 4-0, the North Division finally got on the board in the eighth inning when Derek Hamblen was driven in by his Thunder Bay Border Cats teammate Adam Courcha and Mike O'Neill of the Alexandria Beetles was driven in by the Rochester Honkers' Rance Roundy.

Steve Gruver of the La Crosee Loggers picked up the win with the Bombers' RJ Hivley getting the save for the South Division. Andrew Gagnon of the Rochester Honkers was tagged with the loss for the North Division.

Lunkers players Michael Kvasnicka collected a hit in three plate appearances and David Valesente grounded out to first in his only at-bat. Lunkers' closer Drew Smith threw one-third of an inning.

Michael Gedman of the Lunkers also was voted to the team but did not participate.

Madison Mallards first baseman Harold Riggins won the Home Run Derby contest.

South Division 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 - 4 11 1

North Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 - 2 7 1

South: Rudy Jaramillo, Zach Varce, Steve Gruver, Cody Winiarski, Matt Talley, James Jones, Richard Erath, Joel Delorit, Chuck Lukanen, Bryce Shafter, Dixon Anderson

North: Ryan Demmin, Dennis O'Grady, Zach Robertson, Andrew Gagnon, Tim Griffin, James Wise, David Deminsky, Matt Patterson, Drew Smith

WP: Steve Gruver. LP: Andrew Gagnon. Sv: RJ Hively.

2B: South-Nolan Fadness, Jerrud Sabourin, Harold Riggins, Greg Fujii. North-Keith Castillo

SB: K Muller

RBIs: South-Fadness, Higgins, Fujii. North-A Courcha, R Roundy

DP: South, North

LOB: South 9, North 6

T: 2:50

A: 2,256

Next: St. Cloud vs. Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers, Mills Field, 7:05 p.m. Thursday.