Updated July 19 2005

National CPL All-Stars Defeat American All-Stars, 5-3

WILSON, N.C. - The National CPL All-Stars scored three unanswered runs in the top of ninth inning to beat the American All-Stars, 5-3, at Historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson, N.C. on Tuesday night. Kevin Reynolds (Quincy) of Edenton was named the Rawlings Offensive Player of the 2005 All-Star Game after going 3-for-4 on the night with a RBI, two runs scored and three stolen bases. Meanwhile, Gastonia’s Kenny Smith (UNC-Wilmington) was named the Rawlings Defensive Player of the 2005 All-Star Game for his solid performance at shortstop.



After four and a half innings of scoreless baseball, the American squad got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Josh Paul (Seward County C.C.) of Martinsville scored off a throwing error by catcher Michael Kenefick (New York Tech) of Wilmington. But the lead didn’t last long, as the National team tied it up at 1-1 when Mike Goetz (UW-Milwaukee) of Martinsville singled to left field, driving in Reynolds, who had stole second and third base to get into scoring position.



The National team would strike again in the top of the eighth. Reynolds singled up the middle and then advanced to second off a single by Adam Lipski (Xavier) of Thomasville. Reynolds and Lipski stole third and second respectively, just before a passed ball saw Reynolds cross the plate for the second time on the night, giving the National All-Stars a 2-1 advantage.



But the American squad didn’t get discouraged, as they answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. With runners at the corners, Steve Maiolo (DuQuezne) of Edenton grounded into a 4-6-3 double play that scored Jerry Thornton (Barry) of Spartanburg to tie it up again. Then, Tripp Lockhart (UNC-Pembroke) of Thomasville tripled to center and New Bern’s David Wood (Temple) singled to left-center field on the next at-bat, scoring Lockhart and giving the American All-Stars a 3-2 lead.



With one out in the top of the ninth, Michael Epping (New Orleans) of Petersburg doubled down the right-field line. Wilmington’s John Raynor (UNC-Wilmington) came into pinch run for Epping, and advanced to third on a single by Spencer Steedly (Charlotte) of Wilson. Then, Martinsville’s Armando Sarinana (San Jose City) connected on another single to left-center field, scoring Raynor. Clay Whittemore (Georgia) of Outer Banks would reach on a fielder’s choice, with Sarinana out at second, but moving Steedly over to third. Reynolds continued his success at the plate with a single to left that scored Steedly and advanced Whittemore. Another single by Lipski brought Whittemore across the plate to give the National All-Stars a 5-3 advantage.



On Monday, Raynor was crowned the 2005 Coastal Plain League All-Star Home Run Derby Champion after hitting five homers over the wall for 15 points to defeat Paul in the championship round. Raynor’s win marked the second-straight year that a Wilmington Sharks’ player has come away with the Home Run Derby trophy. In 2004, Dusty Bensko of Illinois racked up eight home runs to win the derby.



The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league, now in its ninth season. Featuring 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL is certified by Major League Baseball, and gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

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