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HerbD · 03-26-2013, 08:21 PM

Springfield, IL

Juoquin Herrera

The HBL North All-Stars knew what was at stake as they took the field Friday Night for the Seventh Annual Heartland Baseball League All-Star game. After losing the very first contest in 1978 the South had dominated the last five battles outscoring their counterparts 39-11 including a two hit, 8-0 shutout last season. "We're here to take this serious," said seven time all star Conrad Jones of Rochester. "We are tired of getting our asses kicked and we are gonna start a new All-Star streak."

The North certainly seemed focused when first time All-Star Ron Gordon of South Bend opened the game with a leadoff homer to put the North up 1-0 after just one batter. One out later Gordon's more heralded teammate, Joe Jackson, hit a solo shot of his own to deep center that pushed the lead 2-0. After a two run double by Rochester's Pat Turner in the top of the fourth gave the North a 5-1 lead it seemed the streak was over.

Not so fast. The South chipped away a bit in the bottom of the fourth when Rookie Mike Church followed a Ray Gray triple with an RBI single to cut the lead to 5-2. The South then exploded in the bottom of the fifth tying the game on homers from first time all stars Joaquin Herrera and Kelvin Green. Later in the inning the South would take the lead on an RBI single by veteran Robinson Velazquez.

The North would never again threaten to score while the South added three more runs to push the final score to 9-5 and the winning streak to six games. Herrera, who added two RBI and two runs scored to his two hits, was named the game's MVP while 22 year old reliever Ric Blaikie got the win.

"We let them have their moment, let them start feeling good about themselves," said seven time all star Colin Reese. "Then we snatched it away from them. It was fun!"

1984 HBL All-Star Box

03-26-2013, 08:21 PM	#42
HerbD All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 978	August 3, 1984: South Continues All-Star Domination Springfield, IL Juoquin Herrera The HBL North All-Stars knew what was at stake as they took the field Friday Night for the Seventh Annual Heartland Baseball League All-Star game. After losing the very first contest in 1978 the South had dominated the last five battles outscoring their counterparts 39-11 including a two hit, 8-0 shutout last season. "We're here to take this serious," said seven time all star Conrad Jones of Rochester. "We are tired of getting our asses kicked and we are gonna start a new All-Star streak." The North certainly seemed focused when first time All-Star Ron Gordon of South Bend opened the game with a leadoff homer to put the North up 1-0 after just one batter. One out later Gordon's more heralded teammate, Joe Jackson, hit a solo shot of his own to deep center that pushed the lead 2-0. After a two run double by Rochester's Pat Turner in the top of the fourth gave the North a 5-1 lead it seemed the streak was over. Not so fast. The South chipped away a bit in the bottom of the fourth when Rookie Mike Church followed a Ray Gray triple with an RBI single to cut the lead to 5-2. The South then exploded in the bottom of the fifth tying the game on homers from first time all stars Joaquin Herrera and Kelvin Green. Later in the inning the South would take the lead on an RBI single by veteran Robinson Velazquez. The North would never again threaten to score while the South added three more runs to push the final score to 9-5 and the winning streak to six games. Herrera, who added two RBI and two runs scored to his two hits, was named the game's MVP while 22 year old reliever Ric Blaikie got the win. "We let them have their moment, let them start feeling good about themselves," said seven time all star Colin Reese. "Then we snatched it away from them. It was fun!" 1984 HBL All-Star Box