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Westminster's Beck Stands Out in SLABA All-Star Slugfest

Andrew Beck, a member of Westminster Christian Academy's 2011 Class 3 state champion team, is the South MVP.

The final summer baseball game of 2011 proved to be one of the best of the entire year. The North team scored early and often in an eventual 14-9 victory over the South team in the 2011 SLABA League 18-and-under all-star game Monday night at .

Andrew Beck, a member of Westminster Christian Academy’s 2011 Class 3 state champion team, and the Meramec Valley Travelers this summer, was selected South team MVP. Beck had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.

Beck’s biggest contribution, though, was a moon-shot home run that clanged off the back wall of the left-field bleachers and pulled the South to within 9-8 in the fourth inning.

“These games are always so fun,” said Scott Seddon of the Stallions Baseball Club, who was selected as coach of the North team. He led the Stallions to the best regular-season record in the SLABA League this summer.

“There’s so many great kids and great players in our league. It’s just fun to see them out here showing what they can do.”

The Stallions draw players primarily from Timberland and Holt, but also use players from Fort Zumwalt West, Fort Zumwalt South, Fort Zumwalt North, Fort Zumwalt East, Troy and private schools.

Many of the Stallions were on display on Monday night, with 11 members of the team named to the North all-star squad.

One of those players, outfielder and 2011  grad Jamie Graeser, was named North team MVP. Graeser went 1-for-2 at the plate and drive in three runs that helped the North gain an early edge in the game.

Graeser was selected to the team as a reserve, but landed in the starting lineup when Stallions teammate and fellow North High grad  was injured over the weekend. He certainly made the most of his opportunity.

“It's a first,” said Graeser. “I've played in a couple of all-star games and have never been an MVP. It's definitely a good feeling.”

Hazelwood Central graduate Mike Eagan, who played for the American National Eagles over the summer, was the winning pitcher for the North. He shut down a South rally and also struck out three of the five batters he faced.

Eagan also drove in two runs with a rocket-shot triple in the seventh inning that effectively ended any thoughts of a South last-inning comeback.

“I've never won an MVP, so that would have been nice,” said Eagan, who was one of several strong North team candidates for the award. “I just came out and gave it everything I had for real.”

Another top North candidate for game MVP was catcher Mike Wilson, a Francis Howell North grad who was representing the American National West Eagles.

He blasted a monstrous home run into the right-field bullpen at T.R. Hughes. Had the ball not hit a light tower near the River City Rascals team clubhouse, it probably would’ve sailed at least 400 feet.

“Lindenwood’s getting a great catcher,” said Seddon of Wilson, who will join the Lions’ Division II college baseball program next spring. “He’s great defensively. He’s a great team leader. And he’s got unbelievable power from the left side of the plate.”

South teammates Doug Fromm (DeSoto) and Nathan Walsh (Hillsboro) of the Jefferson County Barnstormers each had an RBI and a run scored. Zach McKenney (Northwest) of the St. Louis Tigers and Tyler Bilbrey (Seckman) of the Jefferson County Blazers each had two RBIs on Monday.

But Beck’s blast was clearly the highlight of the night for the South.

“That was quite a performance,” said South coach Dustin Bain, who coached the Blazers during the summer. “I think he was a little nervous at the start. But when he squared that ball up it was a no doubter off the bat.

“I really can’t wait for next season to get here. Many of the teams in our league were young. And there’s some great talent coming up from the 16U and 17U teams. This was a really good year for SLABA. But I think next year’s going to be even better.”

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