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BASEBALL: UofM recruits help catapult East to victory in rain-soaked all-star affair
DETROIT – The rain came down at Comerica Park Monday night, but it couldn’t dampen the spirits or the swings of the East team in the 32nd annual Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game.
The Eastsiders erupted for four runs in the first inning off West starting hurler Jackson Lamb, drafted by the Texas Rangers last month, to jump in front for good and never look back, rolling to a 9-4 victory over the West team in a contest delayed almost two hours because of the weather and highlighted by a number of future Wolverines.
Detroit Western’s Hector Gutierrez (shortstop) crushed a 3-run double with two outs in the opening inning of play to spark the East club’s early infusion of offense. Grosse Pointe South’s Carmen Benedetti (first base) and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett’s Connor Fannon (pitcher) both smacked 2-RBI triples in the fourth, vaulting the East on top 8-2.
Southfield-Lathrup centerfielder Johnny Slater hit lead-off for the East team and went 2-for-3, with a pair of stolen bases and runs-scored apiece.
Gutierrez, Benedetti and Slater are all destined for the diamond in Ann Arbor and will be suiting up for the University of Michigan in 2014. They will be joined by Lamb, also inked with the maize and blue.
Fannon, fresh off his second state title in three years to finish out his prep career at Liggett, is headed to Oakland University to pitch next spring.
Lake Orion lefty ace Nick Deeg tallied the win on the mound Monday at Comerica Park. Deeg posted a state-record 0.09 ERA this spring and showed why, out-dueling Lamb, who can reach the mid-90s with his fastball, from the hill.
Signed with Central Michigan, Deeg is considering turning pro after getting drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 37th round last month. Him and Benedetti were both selected Louisville Slugger All-Americans.
Slater was picked in the 31st round by the Atlanta Braves. He’s already announced his intention to play in college next year.
Lamb and Benedetti, were recently pegged the state’s co Mr. Baseballs.
