Legion stars compete ahead of state tournament

Juneau’s Christian Ludeman clubbed a three-run home run and five American Division pitchers worked a scoreless inning in a 13-6 victory over the National Division in the Legion All-Star Game at Mulcahy Stadium.

The stars came out in the rain, with Ludeman going big fly in the sixth inning and Fairbanks’ Caden Davis crushing a two-run home run in the fifth inning. There was also a host of web gems by Davis, Wasilla’s Jacob Hansen, Bartlett’s Eli Corwin and Ketchikan’s Dylan Nedwecky.

Despite the showers, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of the all-stars and crowd. There was energy and electricity in a game that showcased players from all 15 Legion teams in the state.

Ludeman finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs and three runs. He doubled in a run in the second inning with a mammoth double that one-hopped off the center field wall 400 feet away from home plate. It would probably would have been a home run in any other ballpark in the state.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound slugger got his dinger in the seventh inning, ripping a fastball over the left-field wall that was gone the second it left his bat.

Speaking of no-doubters, Davis absolutely hammered a pitch in the fifth inning with a moon shot over the left-field wall that gave the National Division a 6-4 lead.

The American Division roared back behind two-run base knocks by Alex Bruce of Dimond and Corwin of Bartlett. Bruce tied the game at 6-6 with a single and Corwin’s double put the Americans ahead for good at 8-6. Ludeman’s bomb made it 13-6.

American Division pitchers Issac Johnson of South Reid Brock of South, Logan Fischer of North Pole, John Grantier of Bartlett and Preston Rau of Chugiak each threw a shutout inning.

Corwin finished with three RBIs and added a nice shoestring catch in the fifth inning.

Defense was a theme for the National All-Stars with Davis saving a run with an outstretched catch at first base, Nedwecky throwing out a base runner at second base with a perfect pinpoint toss and Hansen executing a beautiful diving catch in left field, going full Superman as he reached out to make the grab and save another run.

Davis finished 2-for-2 with a double and two runs. Ketchikan’s Terik Brown was 2-for-2 with a two-run double in the third inning that gave the Nationals a 4-0 lead. Service’s Henry Helgeson and Eagle River’s Stefan Retzlaff added RBIs.

Kenai’s Sam Berry pitched a 1-2-3 inning and caught a line drive at his chest in a move of quick reflexes and self-preservation.