The top players in the TCL squared off against each other as the best players from the Southern teams outplayed the North’s elite, winning by a score of 7-4. Fans of every team in the league came out to support their favorite players, who played in front of a packed house.
Jordan Hammerman of the hometown Bombers set the tone for the South early on, leading off the game with a single and scoring the first run of the game. The run was one of two for the team in the inning, taking a lead they would never relinquish. Hammerman singled in his next appearance, capping a performance that won him the Cricket Wireless TCL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award.
In addition to Hammerman, the other Bombers on the roster led the South to their dominant performance. Alec Mills, Jake Moser, Damian Rivera, and Garrett Shepperd combined to throw 5 innings without allowing an earned run. Herb Romero drove in two runs on a single in the 7th inning, and local favorite John Cannon’s single brought home the Victoria Generals’ Freddy Villalobos.
Prior to the game, eight of the most power hitters in the TCL squared off in the Brazos Bingo TCL Home Run Derby. Of the contestants, Nick Smelser of the Coppell Copperheads and Trent Wagner of the Victoria Generals went head to head for the right to be called the top power bat in the league. After each launching two long balls in the final round, the contest came down to a swing off, where Smelser drove a ball that may still be in orbit to take home the crown.
The festivities not only grabbed the attention of the fans, but teams in Major League Baseball as well. There were 18 scouts on hand to get a closer look at the top prospects in the league, which is a true testament to the talent level of the players in the TCL.
If you weren’t able to make it out to the ballpark, you can catch the game on Fox College Sports (channel 132 with Suddenlink. Check your local listings if you use Dish Network of DirecTV). The game will be aired multiple times, including at 8 pm on July 21, 3 am and 7 pm on July 23rd, and then again at 9 am and 6 pm on June 24th.
The Bombers will enjoy a much-deserved day off tomorrow, before hitting the road to take on the East Texas Pump Jacks. The team will return home on Friday to play the Acadiana Cane Cutters in front of the home crowd. Friday night is Strike Out Cancer Night at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark, brought to you by Scott & White Health Plan. The first 100 fans will receive mini bats at the contest. Saturday is a very special day at the ballpark, as the team and the fans will celebrate Kaboom’s birthday. Fans will get presents too, as there will be a Kaboom bobblehead giveaway, in addition to the Kids Free Saturday, where all kids get in FREE to the game, and receive free food and tickets to play on the UPA Kids Zone.