The MVABL's best players converged on Saturday at Rotary Park in Beavercreek to participate in the 2005 MVABL All-Star game. The teams were split up into a National team and an American team. The National team was comprised of players from the Beavercreek Sox, Dayton Astros, and Kettering Royals; and the American team was made up of players from the Ohio Woodpeckers, Dayton Rangers, Dayton Knights, and Dayton Angels.

     The National team was the visiting team and jumped on the board first off of American starter Toby Stewart (Woodpeckers). After singles from Mike Leach (Astros) and Ron Runyon (Royals) and a walk to Phil Kosier (Sox), Steve Louis (Astros) hit a long fly ball to centerfield for a sacrifice fly scoring Leach.

     But that was the only lead of the game for the Nationals. The Americans sent 11 batters to the plate off of National starter Brian Girard (Astros). Jeff Dillard (Angels) led off and reached on an error. Chris Ranstead (Woodpeckers) followed with an opposite field double to score Dillard. Josh Jaynes (Knights) followed with a single. Clint Wolf (Rangers) reached on a fielder's choice, that saw 2B Chris McCaslin (Sox) gun down Ranstead at the plate. Gabe Thomas doubled to score Jaynes and gave the Americans a 2-1 lead. Greg Perkins (Angels) singled in Wolf. And after a walk to Matt Netherly (Knights), Joe Staten (Rangers) tripled to deep right-center field to drive in 2 more. Dillard singled in a run in his second plate appearance of the inning to give the Americans a 7-1 advantage after 1 inning.

     Gabe Thomas got his 2nd RBI in as many at-bats when he drove in Jaynes with a base hit in the 2nd inning. The score stayed at 8-1 until the 4th inning when Steve Louis connected with a 2-run HR off of Stewart. But the Americans answered right back. After two walks and two outs, Matt Netherly singled in a run before Joe Staten drove in 2 more with a single just out of the reach of 2B McCaslin. The Americans would eventually tack on 2 more runs. Gabe Thomas tripled and scored on a Greg Stallard (Angels) base knock. Dillard did the same in the next inning by leading off with a triple and scoring on a groundout from Brent Hausfeld (Woodpeckers).

     Pitching Roundup: The pitching for the American team was solid as Toby Stewart went the first four innings, picking up the win striking out 2. Jacob Robinson (Rangers) pitched two scoreless innings striking out 3 allowing one baserunner. Greg Perkins (Angels) followed with an inning of work striking out 2. Clint Wolf and Chris Ranstead retired the last 6 batters of the game. As for the National side, Brian Girard did not fair too well in the first and took the loss. Phil Beach (Royals) gave up 1 run striking out 1. Mark Franklin (Royals) took the hill for 3 innings giving up 3 runs and striking out 1. Mike Leach (Astros) gave up 2 in 2 innings of relief and struck out 2. Phil Kosier (Sox) closed the door in the 8th retiring all 3 batters he faced.

     Hitting Roundup: Jeff Dillard, Josh Jaynes, and Joe Staten each had 2 hits for the American team. Ron Runyon and Kevin Houghson each had 2 for the National team. Steve Louis drove in all 3 runs for the National squad. Clint Wolf scored 3 times and stole 2 bases. Joe Staten drove in 4 runs for the Americans.

     The game's Most Valuable Player (MVP) went to the Woodpeckers' Gabe Thomas who went 3-for-4 at the plate with a single, double, triple, and walk. He also drove in 2 runs and scored twice. Toby Stewart of the Woodpeckers took home the game's Best Defensive Player award with 4 innings of quality work on the mound picking up the victory for the American team.

Defensive Player Award Winner: Toby Stewart (Woodpeckers)....Most Valuable Player: Gabe Thomas (Woodpeckers)