SPRING HILL, Pa - The Allegheny All-Stars took an early lead, but it was the persistence and depth of the Monongahela All-Stars that lead their division to a 7-1 victory.

The Allegheny Division started the scoring in the first inning with a one-out single by Bulldog Vinny Gala. After starting pitcher Alex Warren struck out the next batter, he allowed back-to-back walks to Craig Boley and Chris Wagoner. With two outs and the bases loaded, Oiler Dave Wilson singled home one run, but an accurate throw from leftfielder John Tremel cut down Boley at the plate to end the inning.

That would be the only Allegheny run of the day, as Ben Sororsky, Nick Homa, Jeremy Barchie, Brian Headley, and James Fago combined to allow only three hits the rest of the way. Bulldog Brian Strom lead off the sixth with a double, but was thrown out attempting to leg out a triple by Rebel Dan Stell. Don Stetzer added the other two hits in the losing effort.

Allegheny Starter Ian Overbaugh held the 1-0 lead into the bottom of the second when Black Sox centerfielder Ron Goldie started the inning with a single. After a fielder's choice by Eric Chimenti, Overbaugh surrendered a two-run homer to right-center field by James Fago of the Owlz.

That proved to be all the runs the Monongahela All-Stars would need, but their offense didn't stop there, as they scored in four consecutive innings.

The Owlz drove in six Monogahela runs as James Fago added a solo shot in the 4th, and Rob Cool hit a two-run blast in the fifth, scoring Dan Sloan of the Owlz. Ron Florian accounted for the rest of the Monongahela offense going 2 for 2 with a double, stolen base, run scored and a run batted in.

"We had a solid effort defensively, and our pitchers were outstanding," noted Kenny Rayl, the manager of the Black Sox who managed the Monongahela squad. "We only had six hits, but when four of those go for extra bases, and you mix in a few walks; we had all the offense we needed tonight"

Six-time All-Star Ben Gwin was left in the on-deck circle at the end of the sixth inning. After last year's MVP Dan Stell walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth, he promptly stole second on the first pitch to Brian Headley. But Dave Cimato caught Stell leaning and picked him off, leaving the veteran Gwin as the only position player not to record a plate appearance in the game.

In a game marked by new faces, five starters from each team were new to the league this year, with twenty-three first-year players making the game overall.

"There certainly is some new blood in the league," remarked Gwin. "Those guys really showed they belong in this league."

The game also boasted the participation of three six-time all-stars, having played in the league since its inception. They included Gwin, Rayl, and former League President Craig Boley.

League President Joe Graff was pleased with the game. "It's great to see the young guys mixing it up with some of the veterans in the league. It certainly played a little better than the slugfest from last year, but we're still looking to make this an even bigger event next year."

For his efforts at the plate and on the mound, James Fago was named the MVP of the All-Star Game. Fago hit two home runs in his only two at-bats, driving in three runs. He also pitched a scoreless inning of relief to close the ballgame in the seventh.

WP: Ben Sorosky, Rakers
LP: Ian Overbaugh, Warriors

MVP: James Fago, Owlz

2B: Florian, BSX; Strom, BUL
HR: Fago (2), OWL; Cool, OWL
RBI: Wilson, OIL; Fago (3), OWL; Cool (2), OWL, Spina, OWL; Florian, BSX
SB: Florian, BSX; Stell, BSX

DP: (Boley, Stetzer, Yeakel)

HBP: Yeakel (by Barchie), Mancini (by Headley)
Batters faced: Overbaugh 9, Wheeler 6, Ashcroft 4, Morgan 5, Cimato 3, Warren 6, Sororsky 3, Homa 8, Barchie 6, Headley 5, Fago 4

Umpires: HP: Ted Tragard. Field:
Weather: 79 Degrees, Partly Cloudy
Wind: 17 mph, out to left
Time: 8:32
Attendance: 87

Unofficial Box Score approved by League President