Hours after the San Diego Padres defeated the Atlanta Braves, 3-1, at Petco Park on Wednesday, 48 top prep players from the CIF-San Diego Section played in the inaugural Padres High School All-Star Game.
The county’s best got some big league dirt on their cleats on an evening that included a home run derby and a nine-inning baseball game.
“It’s an unbelievable vibe,” Eastlake senior Grant Holman said. “Hopefully I get to play on a big league field again one day and tonight has definitely motivated me to make that happen.”
Holman, a two-way star for the Titans, started the game for the East team and was countered by Joey Magrisi of Torrey Pines for the West.
The 15 and 805 freeways served as the dividing line between the two squads, both equal with talent from next-level prospects.
Holman surrendered two runs on two hits in his one inning of work on the mound as the West took the early lead. He also failed to record a hit in two trips to the plate, but still took away a memorable experience from the event.
“It was awesome to come out and compete with my friends and guys that I’ve known since childhood,” Holman said. “Going up to (Cal) Berkeley next year should be fun. I’ll be playing baseball and getting a great education and it’s hard to ask for much more than that.”
Holman’s fellow Titan teammates, Micah Pietila-Wiggs and Brian Leonhardt, were also selected to play in the game. Pietila-Wiggs had a single and a stolen base in two trips to the plate and Leonhardt pitched an inning, but gave up two runs in the fifth.
“It was a blast to play against the best players in San Diego,” Leonhardt said. “It was a very competitive game but at the same time, we were all able to just chill out and relax.”
In the top of the ninth inning, the East faced a 7-2 deficit down to its last three outs but went on to tie the game thanks in part to a three-run triple by Ramona’s Bryce Roe, who was named the game’s MVP.
After the end of the game, the two teams were not satisfied with a tie and implored a classic game of rock, paper, scissors to determine the unofficial champion. It was La Costa Canyon junior Spencer Jones, who had an RBI single and also won the home run derby earlier, that clinched bragging rights for the West team.
Two representatives from Otay Ranch High school, Randy Abshier and Christian Lopez, had notable performances. Lopez drove in the East’s first run of the game with a single in the sixth inning. Abshier came in to pitch and worked a scoreless frame.
“It was so fun,” Abshier said. “Everyone here is really good and it was just a great experience to play at Petco Park. The adrenaline was just out of this world.”
The lanky left-hander will be continuing his baseball career at the University of Arizona and will report to the college team in July.
Brandon Peterson, Alonzo Richardson and Zack Owens donned the green uniforms of Helix High. Richardson was one of only three sophomores on either team but still had an impact on the game with an RBI single in the eighth inning.
“I was so happy to be named to the team,” Richardson said. “It makes me want to grind even more on the field and off.”
Peterson started the game in center field for the East and hit a sharp single up the middle in the first inning.
“It was such a blessing to be able to compete on this field and I’m glad I was able to end my senior year like this,” Peterson said.
Senior Garrett Nielsen was the lone selection from Christian High School, and began the day with some majestic long balls in the home run derby. He carried some of that power into the game with a double and a run scored.
At the helm of the East team was Granite Hills coach James Davis, who was honored as the San Diego Section Coach of the Year before the Padres game after leading the Eagles to a 15-11 season. Jake Fenn, Trevor Hazelhurst and Sean McGrew suited up for their skipper one more time on baseball’s biggest stage in San Diego.
“It was pretty special to be around these great kids and to have three of them be your own,” Davis said. “I love them all and they are a really special group.”
Fenn drove in an important run in the ninth inning with a double and also scored as part of Roe’s triple in the late comeback. Hazelhurst had an infield single and a stolen base in the game while also crushing three home runs in the pregame home run derby.
“The atmosphere makes me excited about the future and the potential of getting drafted one day,” Hazelhurst said. “Tonight was incredible. I really wouldn’t want to end it any other way.”
Most of the players have now completed their high school careers and will be taking on new challenges at the next level.
