Cannons North Division All-Star Game Recap By: Lauren Fulton
Last night, we were lucky enough to celebrate 7 of our very own Purcellville Cannons
as they played in the 2023 Valley Baseball League All-Star game held at Bing Crosby
Field in Front Royal, VA. The players who made the team were:
1. Mikey Brinton, (JR; University of Arkansas Fort Smith)
2. Bear Horowicz, (SO; University of North Carolina Chapel Hill)
3. Jose Torres, (SR; University of Louisiana Lafayette)
4. Ryne Guida, (SR; Florida International University)
5. Mac Ayres, (SR; University of Purdue Fort Wayne)
6. Mo Rodriguez, (SR; Rice University)
7. Jaxson Dalena, (SO; Shippensburg University)
Each player had very successful individual performances on the mound and at the
plate through the duration of the game. Not only did each player walk away with their
individual successes, but they also came home helping to contribute to a Northern
Division team win!
Starting off with our pitchers, Mac Ayres, Mo Rodriguez, and Jaxson Dalena. Both guys
pitched very well, allowing no runs to score during their time on the mound, and
helping to provide relatively “quick” innings. Ayres demonstrated his “veteran” skills on
the mound, and commanded the strike zone against each opponent – no runs scored
through his time on the mound, and his defense worked behind him fluidly to keep the
North Division in the lead throughout the game. Our next pitcher for the evening was
none other than Mo Rodriguez, who also allowed no runs to score while he was on the
mound. Although the bases were loaded at one point, was able to get the North “out of
a jam” by forcing pop fly’s and manufacturing outs with the help of his teammates. Our
last pitcher to note for the evening was Jaxson Dalena, who had 2 strikeouts on the
evening, and absolutely “shoved” to each batter he faced. Dalena topped out at 91
mph during his quick inning and showed everyone his ever-developing skills as one of
the top pitchers in the All-Star game.
Our offensive players did exactly what they do best – each player was able to
manufacture runs in some way shape or form, and led the North Division team to
victory. Starting off the offensive was Mikey Brinton, who went 1 for 3 on the evening,
with a double and 2 RBIs to help set the North off with the lead. Following him was
Ryne Guida, who went 2 for 3 on the evening, with 2 base hits and 1 RBI to help further
advance the North’s lead. Jose Torres also went 2 for 2 on the evening, both times
hitting singles to left field for clutch base hits to help provide baserunners for the
Northern team. Bear Horowicz went 0 for 3 on the evening with 1 walk to help his team
offensively but also played incredible defense throughout the night. In the later innings
of the game, while Mo Rodriguez was on the mound with 2 outs, Horowicz made an incredible diving play to stop the ball from advancing to the outfield with bases loaded
and worked together with Rodriguez as he covered first to get the final out of the
inning.
Although each of the boys were playing in the VBL All-Star game, they made sure to
demonstrate what fundamental Cannons baseball looks like, setting the standard for
the rest of their teammates. The boys will now return home for another day’s break
before hitting the road again this Wednesday to take on the Front Royal Cardinals at
Bing Crosby stadium at 7:00 pm. We will be back at Fireman’s Field on June 30th to
take on the Covington Lumberjacks, so we hope to see y’all there after our much
needed All-Star break!