Both the National CPL All-Stars and American CPL All-Stars gave the crowd of 3,136 a great show that went down to the wire and ultimately ended in a tie, 2-2 after 10 innings at the 2009 Coastal Plain League All-Star Game presented by Taco Bell in Wilmington, N.C.

The tie was the first-ever in a Coastal Plain League All-Star Game and marked only the second time the contest had seen extra innings.

The National All-Stars took the early lead in the third inning when Outer Banks’ catcher Donnie Corsner (Old Dominion) got on with a lead-off walk. He later advanced to second on a wild pitch from Peninsula’s Tyler McSwain (UNC Wilmington), and then scored on an RBI-single to right-center field by Outer Banks teammate Dylan Petrich (Texas A&M) to take an early 1-0 lead.

But the Americans would tie it up in the bottom of the seventh inning when Asheboro’s Thomas Pope (UNC Wilmington) singled to right to start the inning, and then advanced to second after Columbia’s Matt Leeds (College of Charleston) was hit by a pitch. A fielder’s choice to Edenton’s Billy Swanson (Cal State Northridge) saw Pope turn third and then score off an error by Outer Banks shortstop Tyler Stubblefield (Kennesaw State).

The two squads would exchange runs in the eighth inning to reach the 2-2 tie. In the top of the eighth, Edenton’s Gerard Hall (Old Dominion) connected on a solo homer to left center. Meanwhile, in the bottom half of the inning, Wilson’s Jake Astor (Southern Arkansas) reached on a lead-off walk. A single to short by Thomasville’s Josh Liles (Tennessee) put runners at second and third after Liles exhibited his speed on the throw. Edenton’s Jake Magner (North Dakota) reached on a fielder’s choice that saw Astor get thrown out at home, and Liles advance to third. Then, Peninsula’s Jake McAloose (Old Dominion) singled to third, scoring Liles to knot the game at its final result: 2-2.

After the game, the Coastal Plain League honored the Rawlings Offensive and Defensive Players of the All-Star Game. Hall took home the Rawlings Offensive Player trophy after going 2-for-2, with a home run, an RBI and a run scored. Meanwhile, Kleinknect was selected as the Rawlings Defensive Player of the Game. Kleinknect started the game for the American squad at shortstop and recorded two putouts and three assists, and then pitched the 10th inning, giving up just one hit, while walking one and striking out one.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league, now in its 13th season. Featuring 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL 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 http://www.coastalplain.com.

Justin Sellers

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