Spain named All-Star Game MVP

On the bright stage amongst the best semi-pro players of the tri-state area, Rambler shortstop Dan Spain showed why he's one of the top players in either area league. Spain collected two hits and reached base four times in earning MVP honors as he led the Eastern Iowa Hawkeye League to a 13-6 victory over the Prairie League on Saturday at Cascade's Legion Field.

With the victory in the 26th annual Telegraph Herald Semi-Pro All-Star Game, the EIHL improved to 6-4 in the 10 years of the league versus league format. Monticello pitcher A.J. Reuter picked up the win on the mound for the EIHL.

"This group of guys plays with intensity every time they play," Spain told the TH. "It wasn't the score we expected, but we come out expecting to win every time we play.

"Guys take it very seriously. It's an honor to be here, and we put it all together tonight."

Key West first baseman Chris Briggs and left fielder Cory Davidson also joined Spain in the starting lineup for the EIHL. Briggs went for 1-for-3 with a double while Davidson was 0-for-2.

Spain was the only member of the EIHL to record at least two hits. Ryan Hoerner (2-for-4) and Topher Scheeler (2-for-3) led the way for the Prairie League, which also got a home run from third baseman Chet Knake.

The EIHL put the game out of reach with a seven-run top of the seventh that made the score 13-2. The EIHL sent 12 hitters to the plate in the frame.

Statistics for Rambler All-Stars heading into Saturday's game:
Briggs: .414 AVG, 7 HR, 35 RBI, .472 OBP, .730 SLG
Davidson: .374 AVG, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 7 SB, .491 OBP, .462 SLG
Spain: .373 AVG, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 8 SB, .432 OBP, .525 SLG

2012 All-Star Game Rosters:

Eastern Iowa Hawkeye League
Coach: Jeff Hoerner (Dubuque)

Starters
Pitcher: A.J. Reuter (Monticello)
Catcher: Eric Banwarth (Rickardsville)
First base: Chris Briggs (Key West)
Second base: Alex Timmerman (Dubuque)
Shortstop: Dan Spain (Key West)
Third base: Kevin Carkeek (Dubuque)
Left field: Cory Davidson (Key West)
Centerfield: Marty Sutherland (Cascade)
Right field: Mike Canavello (Dyersville)
Designated hitter: Chris Kerper (Farley)

Reserves
Cascade: Tim Andrews, Pat Weber
Dubuque: B.J. Juergens
Dyersville: Austin Brown
Farley: Travis Olson
Rickardsville: Mike Leibfried, Tim Felderman
Worthington: Mitch Gotto


Prairie League
Coach: Ryan Hoerner (Epworth)

Starters
Pitcher: Eric DeSousa (Bernard)
Catcher: Matt McCollough (Bernard)
First base: Bobby Bean (Balltown)
Second base: Kyle Harris (East Dubuque)
Shortstop: Corbin Ploessl (Bellevue)
Third base: Chet Knake (Bellevue)
Left field: Ryan Hoerner (Epworth)
Centerfield: Travis Lyons (Zwingle)
Right field: Bill Albee (East Dubuque)
Designated hitter: Lincoln Gibbs (Epworth)

Reserves
Balltown: Ben Urbain
Bellevue: Pete Bonifas
Epworth: Don Grosser
Peosta: Aaron Hopson, Topher Scheeler
Placid: Jon Powers, Shawn Swenson
Zwingle: B.J. Althoff