North Overcomes Seven-Run Deficit

As they did last year, the North all-stars rallied from a large deficit against the South team. But this time it was good enough to win.

A seven-run South lead was not enough to keep the North from escaping with an 11-10 victory at the 32nd Kiwanis all-star game Tuesday at Cal State Fullerton.

Alex Taylor (Western) hit a one-out single to right in the bottom of the ninth to drive in pinch runner Jason Corapci of Canyon, giving the North its only lead of the night. But it was the only lead that mattered.

Katella’s Mike Martinez, the seventh North pitcher, took the mound in the eighth and was credited with the win. Edison’s Dale Thayer, the South’s seventh pitcher, entered in the ninth and took the loss.

The South, coached by Mater Dei’s Bob Ickes, who retired after the Southern Section playoffs, took a 4-0 lead in the third. Randy Blood of Calvary Chapel and Tony Cappuccilli of Edison hit RBI singles, and a throwing error by the North’s Jason Annis (Valencia) enabled two more to score.

The North chipped away with single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. The run in the fourth was a crowd pleaser. Cypress first baseman Jayson Rodriguez blasted a towering home run over the left-field wall off South right-hander Eric Bowden (Trabuco Hills).

In the sixth Cappuccilli answered Rodriguez’s shot with one of his own. The home run, off Magnolia left-hander Wes Strader, traveled 390 feet over the right-center field fence, and it triggered a three-run rally. When the South added three more runs in the seventh on a bases-loaded double by Newport Harbor’s Charles Waite (a non-starter who drove in four runs), it appeared to have more than enough cushion.

But while the South’s offense was good, it was playing erratic defense (six errors) and the mistakes took their toll.

A dropped fly ball with one out in the bottom of the seventh got the North rolling to a four-run inning. Loara’s Jacob Kungl drove in two runs with a triple, and scored when Fountain Valley shortstop Will Hudson’s errant relay throw went into the dugout. Servite’s Ryan Garko singled in the seventh and eventually scored on a single La Habra’s Ryan Huff.

The North got three more runs in the eighth to tie the score at 10. One scored on a balk, another on a bases-loaded walk, and a sacrifice fly.

Cappuccilli, who had three hits, drove in two runs and scored a run, was named the game’s most valuable player.

The South leads the series, 17-15.