North Takes Down South in SLABA 18 and Under All-Star Slugfest

O’FALLON – The final summer baseball game of 2011 proved to be one of the best of the entire year, as the North team scored early and often in an eventual 14-9 victory over the South team in the 2011 St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association (SLABA) 18 and under All-Star Game Monday night at T.R. Hughes Ballpark.

, who graduated from Mehlville High School, represented the Johnny Mac Thunder in the all-star game. 

“These games are always so fun,” said Scott Seddon, head coach of the Stallions Baseball Club, who was selected coach of the North team for Monday’s contest, after leading the Stallions to the best regular season record in the SLABA League this summer. “There’s so many great kids and great players in our league. It’s just fun to see them out here showing what they can do.”

Many of Seddon’s Stallion ballplayers were on display Monday night, with 11 members of the team named to the North all-star squad.

One of those players, outfielder and 2011 Ft. Zumwalt North High grad Jamie Graeser, was named North team MVP, after going 1-for-2 at the plate, and driving in three runs that helped the North gain an early edge in the game.

Graeser, who was selected to the team as a reserve, but landed in the starting lineup when Stallions teammate and fellow North High grad Wade Rothermich was injured over the weekend, made the most of an opportunity that he’d always hoped to have.

“It's a first,” said Graeser. “I've played in a couple of all-star games and have never been an MVP. It's definitely a good feeling.”

Hazelwood Central grad Mike Eagan, who played for the American National Eagles over the summer, was the winning pitcher for the North, after shutting down a South team rally and striking out three of the five batters he faced on Monday.

Eagan also drove in two runs with a rocket-shot triple in the seventh inning that effectively ended any thoughts of a South team last inning comeback.

“I've never won an MVP so that would have been nice,” said Eagan, who was one of several strong North team candidates for the award. “I just came out and gave it everything I had for real.”

Another top North team candidate for game MVP was catcher Mike Wilson, a Francis Howell North grad who was representing the American National West Eagles on Monday.

He blasted a monstrous home run into the right field bullpen at T.R. Hughes that had it not hit a light tower near the River City Rascals team clubhouse probably would’ve sailed at least 400 feet.

“Lindenwood’s getting a great catcher,” said Seddon, of Wilson, who will join the Lions’ Division II college baseball program next spring. “He’s great defensively. He’s a great team leader. And he’s got unbelievable power from the left side of the plate.”

Andrew Beck, a member of Westminster Christian Academy’s 2011 Class 3 state champion ball club, and the Meramec Valley Travelers this summer, was selected South team MVP, after posting two base hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored, in his team’s effort.

Beck’s big contribution though, was a moon-shot home run that clanged off the back wall of the left field bleachers, and pulled the South to within 9-8 in the fourth inning.

South teammates Doug Fromm (DeSoto) and Nathan Walsh (Hillsboro) of the Jefferson County Barnstormers each had an RBI and a run scored, and Zach McKenney (Northwest) of the St. Louis Tigers and Tyler Bilbrey (Seckman) of the Jefferson County Blazers each had two RBIs on Monday, but Beck’s blast was clearly the highlight of the night for the South team.

“That was quite a performance,” said South coach Dustin Bain, who coached the Blazers during the summer. “I think he was a little nervous at the start. But when he squared that ball up it was a no doubter off the bat.

“I really can’t wait for next season to get here. Many of the teams in our league were young. And there’s some great talent coming up from the 16U and 17U teams. This was a really good year for SLABA. But I think next year’s going to be even better.”