American Division beats National Division in ABL All-Star Game

ANCHORAGE — The Mat-Su Miners have celebrated five grand slams this season. But Sunday, a number of Miners were on the other side of the slam.

Anchorage Bucs outfielder Andy Crowley cracked a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead the American Division to a 10-5 win over the National Division during the Alaska Baseball League All-Star Game Sunday at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage Sunday.

Eleven Mat-Su players and three coaches represented the Miners on the National Division team. Pitchers Tyler Stubblefield, Ryan Hendrix, Jon Ferrendelli, Ryan Oglesby and Vince Arobio; catcher Josh Meyer; designated hitter Jonny Locher; infielders Paul Panaccione and Jordan Rodgers; and outfielders Cameron Frost and Cameron Newell were named to the all-star squad. Miners head coach Ben Taylor served as the National Division head coach. Miners assistants Brad Baker and Sean Winston were on the all-star coaching staff.

Four Miners finished with a hit in the all-star game, and a pair of Mat-Su outfielders teamed to give the National Division an early lead.

In the top of the fourth, Newell drew a lead-off walk. Two batters later, Frost knocked a line drove over second base and into the outfield. Newell scored on the play.

Newell reached base three times for the National Division. The UC Santa Barbara product was hit by a pitch in the first inning, drew the fourth-inning walk and singled in the seventh inning. Frost finished with a single and an RBI. Rodgers tripled and scored on an American Division error in the sixth inning. Locher tripled to deep right center field in the eighth.

Five Miners earned a starting spot on the National Division team: Stubblefield (pitcher), Meyer (catcher), Panaccione (shortstop), Frost (centerfield) and Newell (right field). Ferrendelli, Oglesby and Arobio also pitched for the National Division. Hendrix did not play.

Crowley was named MVP of the game.

Three Miners (Frost, Newell and Matt Decker) competed in the ABL Home Run Derby Sunday afternoon. None of the Miners made it out of the first round. Steven Pollex of the Chugiak Chinooks won the derby.