NBC All-Americans Announced for 2017

WICHITA, Kan. – The 2017 NBC All-Americans all had important hands in advancing their teams through the 83^rd NBC World Series powered by Westar Energy.

Advancement, or winning, played a huge factor in shaping the 2017 All-American Team as the Cheney Diamond Dawgs and Mulvane Patriots played the most games in the World Series and wound up with the most representatives.

Here is the All-American team for the 83^rd NBC World Series powered by Westar Energy:

Catchers (2):

Dalton Dinkel (Mulvane Patriots) earned the Just Block It Catcher Award after throwing out all four attempted base stealers against him. Dinkel had a NBCWS high 56 putouts as well. Dinkel also held his own at the plate with a whopping .417 average, scoring five times and driving in six while helping to advance the Patriots through the First Week, Win & In, and the Championship pool play rounds.

Caleb Cox (Mulvane Patriots) was just as productive offensively as his teammate, smashing a .533 average with a pair of doubles and three RBI. Cox posted the highest slugging percentage of any catcher throughout the 16 day stretch.

First Baseman (1):

Jake Levin (Everett Merchants) put on a show in the addidas Home Run Derby with moonshots to finish in second place out of the fourteen participants. In game, Levin was a stabilizing force in the middle of the Merchants’ lineup on their way to a runner-up finnish. Levin drove in four runs for Everett while leading all first baseman with a .438 average and a .471 on base percentage.

Second Baseman (1):

Hank LoForte (Santa Barbara Foresters) served as an ignitor for the Foresters three wins, tallying a .533 average while scoring four runs. LoForte reached base ten times in seventeen plate appearances while swiping a pair of bases. He also registered nearly five assists per game, plenty of them beyond the realm of routine, two more than any other infielder in the World Series.

Third Baseman (1):

Adam Brown (Mulvane Patriots) was among the most clutch hitters throughout the World Series, delivering RBI when Mulvane needed them most. Brown was one of only two players in the entire World Series to get to double digits in RBI, driving in 10 with 11 hits. Brown finished with three doubles and struck out just one time in 33 at bats.

Shortstop (1):

Alex Lyon (Wellington Heat) displayed spectacular instincts in the field without committing an error and lead all shorstops with a .455 batting average while also driving in 8 runs. He was a primary force in the Wellington lineup and an anchor defensively for the Heat in the field.

Outfield (3):

Tresten Kennard (Cheney Diamond Dawgs) swatted the baseball around Lawrence-Dumont Stadium en route to a World Series high 11 RBI. Kennard powered the middle of the Diamond Dawgs Lineup on their way to a Series high 8 wins while scoring eight times and hitting a pair of doubles and a pair of triples. Kennard finished with nine games played and a .448 average.

Nik Gonzalez (Northwest Boom) was an offensive lightning round for the lone representative from Arizona. Gonzalez fell a homer shy of the cycle but still roped three doubles and a triple while posting a .923 slugging percentage, the highest of the 2017 World Series. Gonzalez finished with seven hits in thirteen at-bats (.538) and scored five times in just three games.

Colton Barrington (Austin Shockers) was perhaps the biggest standout on an Austin Shockers team that earned the Best Offensive Team award. Barrington went 7-15 (.467) while scoring five times and driving in four runs in just four games.

Utility (2):

Landon Riker (Seattle Studs) sparked the Seattle Studs lineup to the tune of a 5-10 World Series. Riker was a constant threat on the bases, driving in three runs and walking three times as well.

Jacob Boston (Hays Larks) was in the middle of the fray for the Larks no matter where he hit or played defensively. Boston logged time in both the outfield and infield for Hays while still roping a .474 average, driving in four and scoring three times. Boston also delivered a pair of doubles.

Designated Hitter (1):

Brennan Fontenot (Great Bend Bat Cats) delivered just about every time he was at the plate for the Bat Cats, swatting a .471 average with five extra base hits. Fontenot’s .941 slugging percentage led all hitters.

Pitchers (5):

Blair Henley (Santa Barbara Foresters) was dominant in his turn to start for the Santa Barbara Foresters. Henley tossed seven scoreless inning and scattered four baserunners while punching out seven hits.

Bradley Demco (Cheney Diamond Dawgs) came in key situations for the Diamond Dawgs throughout the World Series and delivered almost every time. Demco was nearly unhittable in his first three appearances while he racked up two wins, a save, and 19 strikeouts in twelve innings of work.

Dalton Shelberg (San Diego Force) had a start for the ages in the San Diego Force’s 17 inning marathon to open up Championship Week. Shelberg tossed ten scorless innings, only allowing one hit and two walks while striking out 8. Despite earning the combined shutout effort, Shelberg still only lasted half of the game but was the primary reason the Force were able to capture the win.

Ryan Semon (San Diego Waves) played a crucial role in helping the Waves win their pool during Championship Week. Semon tossed seven scoreless innings over two relief outings while picking up one save and only allowing five baserunners.

Pete Irvin (Everett Merchants) kept the Everett Merchants in winning position in all of three starts. Irvin worked around hits, while starting half of the Merchants games. Irvin tossed 14 innings and posted 12 strikeouts.

Manager (1):

Pat Hon (Cheney Diamond Dawgs) led a Cheney team that remained unbeaten from the very opening day of First Week all the way until the semifinals on August 5^th. The Diamond Dawgs notched 8 wins and survived two elimination games.

About NBC: The NBC World Series is the largest and the oldest continuous sporting event in the United States. This non-profit 501c(3) foundation operates under the supervision of a 16-member volunteer board of directors. To learn more visit www.nbcbaseball.com.

Quarterfinal Matchups

WICHITA, Kan. – The Quarterfinals have their first two matchups set with the final two pairings being decided with the results of Thursdays matchup.

The Kansas Stars (3-0) won Pool A outright and will take on the Derby Twins (1-2) after they nabbed the second spot in Pool C. The Stars and Twins will play the feature game on Friday night at 7pm. Chipper Jones is expected to play through the remainder of the World Series. Tickets are available at Select-A-Seat or at the Lawrence-Dumont Stadium Box Office.

The second matchup will feature the winner of Pool C, the Santa Barbara Foresters (3-0) playing the Everett Merchants (2-1), who have only lost to the Stars en route to a second place finish in Pool A. The time of that game will be announced after all matchups are set.

Two more teams have already qualified for the Quarterfinals as the Cheney Diamond Dawgs (2-0 and in action against the San Antonio Angels now) won Pool B and await the winner of the 9:30pm game on Thursday between the Mulvane Patriots (1-1) and the Wellington Heat (1-1) out of Pool D.

The Pool D winners, the San Diego Waves (2-0) will play the winner of the 7pm feature game Thursday night between the Hays Larks (1-1) and Seattle Studs (1-1) out of Pool B.

The Santa Barbara/Everett, Cheney game, and San Diego Waves game will all be assigned times on Friday at either 1:00pm, 3:30pm, or 9:30pm.

Friday’s Quarterfinals are presented by PEC and the Midwest Hearing Hot Dog Eating Contest will take place before the feature game.

Purchase tickets at Select-A-Seat or at the Lawrence-Dumont Stadium Box Office.

Mulvane Patriots 5, USA National Team 4

Robert Neustrom got Team USA off to a great start with a first inning triple but it was quickly erased when Aaron Brown drove in two with a double in the top of the second. USA would answer with a run in the sixth on an RBI double from Tyler Crowl and then took the lead on another Neustrom RBI in the seventh. Mulvane wouldn’t go away though, forcing extra innings in the ninth. The Patriots added one in the tenth that was answered immediately in the bottom of the inning. It was a twelfth inning run that ended up being the difference but not before some trouble. The National Team put two guys on without any outs before Sloan Baker escaped trouble and preserved the win.

Seattle Studs 12, San Antonio Angels 2

The Studs seemed intent on breaking out the sticks early and Ryan Budnick was right in the middle of it with a two run homer in the bottom of the first, becoming the first player in this series to hit multiple home runs. Dylan LaVelle added three RBI including a triple and scored onece in the run-rule shortened win. Geoff Brown tossed six solid innings to qualify for the W, only allowing two runs.

Cheney Diamond Dawgs 7, Hays Larks 3

The Diamond Dawgs continue their roll with a tournament leading 6th win on Tuesday night. Austin Gehle held the Larks quiet for 5.2, enough time for the offense to roll with a two run homer by Daniel Richardson and a solo shot from Jackson Glenn. Tresten Kennard continued his incredible series with a four hit night in five at bats while scoring twice. He’s hitting .478 for the World Series. Bradley Demco pitched 3.1 for the save and to set aside the spot for the Diamond Dawgs in the quarterfinals.

San Diego Waves 8, Wellington Heat 7

The Heat put up crooked number in the second and third with four different players each contributed an RBI in the early rallies. But the Waves would not go away thanks to a host of hitters. First, San Diego tied the game at four while Eric Del Prado drove in two and Brandon Stewart added an RBI from the leadoff spot. But it was Trevor Beard who came up the biggest. The Waves fell behind 7-4 before tying it in the bottom of the eighth. Beard then delivered a walk-off single with a runner on second to break the tie and give the Waves a win at 1:30am on Wednesday morning.

adidas Home Run Derby

FINALS PARTICPANTS:

John McMillon-Santa Barbara Foresters

Ryan Budnick-Seattle Studs

Colton Onstott-Liberal Bee Jays

Robert Neustrom-USA National Team

Colin Simpson-Hays Larks

Colin Nevil-Derby Twins

Jake Levin-Everett Merchants

Tanner Pinkston-San Diego Force

First Round Homers:

Cheney Diamond Dawgs Trestan Kennard 1

Colorado Cyclones Tyler Neeley 2

Colorado Sox Tallon Schaler 1

Derby Twins Colin Nevil 6

Everett Merchants Jake Levin 6

Hays Larks Colin Simpson 6

Liberal Bee Jays Colton Onstott 7

Mulvane Patriots Zach Allen 1

San Antonio Angels Mark Frankhouser 3

San Diego Force Tanner Pinkston 4

San Diego Waves Jordan Mopas 2

Santa Barbara Foresters John McMillon 10

Seattle Studs Ryan Budnick 7

Team USA Robert Neustrom 7

65 Total Home Runs on Tuesday during the first round of the adidas

Home Run Derby

Derby Twins 6, Colorado Sox 4

After trailing by 1, Derby strung together a three run top of the seventh but lost the handle heading into the ninth. The Colorado Sox scored one in the seventh and two in the eighth to make it a 4-3 game in the top of the ninth. Needing a run, the Twins found it to send it to extras where Cooper Minnick provided the game winning hit. The Twins will battle the San Diego Force on Wednesday for a chance to move to bracket play.

Colorado Cyclones 3, Liberal Bee Jays 1

Matt Burkart had a pair of doubles that turned into two runs for the Colorado Cyclones. Braxton Lorenzini tossed five inning of one run ball while the bullpen held the Bee Jays scoreless for four innings. The Cyclones will battle the Merchants on Wednesday for the second spot coming out of pool A.

Kansas Stars 10, Everett Merchants 1

Andy LaRoche hit a three run homer in the first to provide all the runs the Stars would need. Roy Halladay was dominant in three innings of work. Ben Sheets backed him up with three scoreless frames and Brian Gordan recorded the final three outs.

Santa Barbara Foresters 4, San Diego Force 0

David Clawson’s two run homer was enough offense for the pitching heavy Foresters as Blair Henley was excellent for seven solid frames.Wichita State product Luke Ritter also added an RBI for the Foresters. Tanner Pinkston was 2-4 in the loss for the Force.

Cheney 5, Great Bend 3

Down three  to zero  after 5, the Diamond Dawgs got a run back in the top of the 6th and scored two in the seventh to force extra innings. For Great Bend, starter Gyenonglu Kim was excellent for six innings before giving way to the bullpen with a lead in the seventh. But Bradley Demco was dominant in relief for the Cheney Diamond Dawgs and turned the tide long enough for the offense to get back into one. Demco threw 5.1 scoreless innings of relief while striking out seven and only allowing two hits. Phil Ingram had three hits and Travis Young scored twice to seal the win. The Cheney Diamond Dawgs have qualified for Championship Week with a game set for Sunday at 4pm against the Seattle Studs.

Mulvane Patriots 5, Austin Shockers 1

Ryan Erickson held the Shockers silent but it was Channing Williams who stole the game in the top of the ninth with a clean steal of home to produce the winning run. Dalton Dinkle added a two run double to open up the score. Erickson sealed what was ruled as a one hitter, the lone blemish being a fourth inning. Mulvane advances to Championship Week and will draw a first round matchup with the San Diego Waves at 1:30pm on Sunday.