Old North State League 2023 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby
Two Luckies participate in Home Run Derby, four in All-Star Game
In Marion, North Carolina, the top representatives of the Old North State League teams met to play ball and participate in a home run derby.
The green, tan, and red was on full display for the whole ONSL to see on Saturday night. Colin Eaton, Travis Hammond, and Kristian Amaro were solely featured in the All-Star Game, while TJ Highsmith was solely featured in the home run derby. Jacob Trivette would be seen in both the game and the derby!
Home Run Derby — Eight participants used metal bats as they tried to launch homers over the wall, with ten “outs” allowed. The top four home run hitters in the quarterfinals advanced to the semifinals, and the top two in the semifinals competed in the third and final round.
The contestants were TJ Highsmith and Jacob Trivette of the Reidsville Luckies, Chris Manriquez and Lucas Martino of the Pineville Porcupines, Christian Bartholomew of the Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs, Keagan Baxter of the Sanford Spinners, Mitch Green of the Marion Swamp Foxes, and Brady Groves of the Oak City Gliders.
Pineville’s Manriquez led the first round with four, Trivette’s three dingers and Highsmith’s two allowed the Luckies to have a pair of players in the semis, and Green of the Swamp Foxes nailed two. These four advanced to the next round.
It was Lucky vs. Porcupine for the Finals after Highsmith nailed four homers and Manriquez crushed a staggering six over the wall in the semifinals.
In the finals, Highsmith started out with three homers, but Manriquez would exceed that number before his round ended to win the derby and be presented with the trophy.
All-Star Game — The West All-Stars, which featured the Luckies (*ahem* not a coincidence), won handily, defeating the East All-Stars, 15-4. Bo Trantham, pitcher for the Hendersonville Honeycrisps, won the All-Star Game MVP.
What a night for the Old North State League. This was truly fantastic, and is a testament to how well-organized this summer collegiate wood bat league really is.