Luis Campusano has led the Storm offense throughout the first half. (Photo: Cherished Memories)
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — The Padres farm system was well represented in Tuesday night’s Cal League All-Star game. However, the South team allowed three runs in the second inning and fell to the North team 7-1 at San Bernardino’s San Manuel Stadium.
Visalia outfielder and Diamondbacks prospect Mark Karaviotis won the game’s MVP award, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI’s.
MacKenzie Gore, who was the biggest name on either roster, did not participate in the game after starting Friday. He did throw a bullpen prior to the game and was on-hand for the festivities.
“[MacKenzie] was just getting his work in. Whether he’s pitching or not, he’s always doing that,” said Storm catcher Luis Campusano prior to to the game. “He’s always taking the work seriously.”
Storm RHP Caleb Boushley pitched the fourth inning and threw the ball well. Boushley commanded his fastball that sat in the low-90s and touched 93. He struck out A’s prospect Lazaro Armenteros with a fastball on the outer half and got Karaviotis looking on a breaking ball before allowing a single that was misplayed in left field. Boushley bounced back and induced a routine fly ball to center to end the inning, The swingman also flashed an excellent curve and threw a few changeups as well.
Campusano started behind the dish and went 1-for-2. After flying out in his first at-bat, Campusano lined a double down the right field line on a fastball in his next trip to the plate. The former second rounder finished the first half leading the Cal League with a .316 average. The young catcher hopes to continue that focus into the second half.
“[For the second half] I am just trying to have that steady heartbeat, not let little things get to me”, said Campusano. “I can be emotional at times; that’s just who I am. But I’m trying to learn something new every day, continue to do my routines and if I stay healthy, I think good things will happen for me.”
The South scored their only run in the bottom of the sixth, off of the bat of Esteury Ruiz. Ruiz worked a full count and fouled off several pitches before taking a 3-2 fastball out to the left field grass area for a solo HR. Ruiz went 1-for-3 with the homer and a strikeout, working the count full in his first two at-bats. He struck out looking on a fastball on the outer half in his final at-bat.
The other Storm player to see the field was shortstop Gabriel Arias, who singled in the sixth and was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning. He entered the game as a defensive replacement in the fourth inning.
