BY GENE NARDI
The annual Dick Howser Senior All-Star Showcase game was played Saturday, June 1 at Roger Dean Stadium. On the field, the South All-Stars edged the North All-Stars 3-2, in comeback fashion.
This regional tradition was established in 1988, and the game is the area’s premier senior all-star talent showcase. Both teams played in Major League Baseball uniforms, with the North team in the Marlins uniform and the South team sporting the Cardinals uniform.
The North held on to a 2-1 lead through most of the 10-inning contest. Jupiter High School infielder Kyle Keatts provided a third-inning highlight. Keatts, a Tennessee Tech signee, nailed a triple play with the bases loaded for the North. Keatts snared a line drive down the center, pounced on second base, and then sent the throw to first for the second force out to cap the triple-play. The play held the North lead at 1-0 going into the bottom of the third inning. The North would drive in a second run by the inning’s end and extend its lead to 2-0.
The South would close the gap by one in the fourth. Two errors by the North gave the South an opportunity to drive in two late runs in the eighth inning to take a 3-2 lead, which they held to close out the final.
Area pitchers showcased their talent during the game, with Palm Beach Central’s John Padich starting on the mound for the North. Royal Palm Beach’s Jordan Lauginiger and Wellington’s Nick Lawrence also saw time on the mound.
Other North all-stars from area schools were: Palm Beach Central High School’s Joe Shue, Kyle Perkins, Mike VanCasteren and Gage Morey; Wellington High School’s Brad Riddle; Royal Palm Beach High School’s Justin Douglas; and Seminole Ridge High School’s Jason Moore. VanCasteren had one RBI, and Perkins, a Central Florida signee, had a double.
Area coaches led the North: Scott Riddle from Wellington, Bart Wible and Justin Hedges from Royal Palm Beach.
ABOVE: North first baseman Jordan Lauginiger of Royal Palm Beach makes a catch for the out.
