Showcasing Tomorrow's Big League Stars Today

2006 ALL-AMERICAN BASEBALL GAME

EAST TEAM WINS 4th ANNUAL ALL-AMERICAN GAME 9-7
MICHAEL DEMPERIO WINS PLAYSTATION GAME MVP

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (June 7, 2006) --- The 2006 All-American Game brought international ties and true baseball integrity to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Tonight, Isotopes Park played host to an elite class of senior prep athletes, many who were drafted during the 2006 MLB Draft.  Although the MLB Draft was on every player’s mind, it was showtime for the nation’s elite.  When it was all said and done, Coach Rasmus and the East Squad walked away with the PlayStation Trophy after defeating Coach Andersh’s West Team 9-7.

Michael Demperio of Kell High School in Atlanta, Georgia proved his spot on the All-American roster with two doubles, a stolen base and two runs scored, earning the game’s PlayStation MVP Trophy.  Demperio will play for the University of Texas next year after turning down 2nd round money from the Atlanta Braves.

“Being named MVP is a really big deal to me,” said Demperio.  “My number one goal this week in Albuquerque was to have fun, and when you are having fun you always play better.”

For the West, 3-time national All-American Robby Alcombrack (Cleveland Indians 7th Round Pick) continued his dominance of national all-star games when he blasted a towering 400+ foot homerun over the left-center field wall at Isotopes Park.  Alcombrack (Grass Valley, CA) finished the day 1-3 with 1 RBI and 3 runs scored. 

The All-American Baseball Game’s first international player, Chao-Ting Tang of Taiwan represented his country well with his smooth defense and short, compact swing.  Tang, who led-off for the West Squad, gunned down a runner at the plate and ended up going 1-3 with 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and a stolen base. 

“Having the opportunity to represent my country was a true honor and made me very proud,” said Tang through the translation of his older sister Joy.  “To have the chance to play alongside America’s best was very special to me.”

The 2006 All-American Baseball Game featured 7 players that were selected in the first three rounds, with four  selected in the first.  Boston Red Sox 1st round pick Jason Place (Easley, SC) contributed to the East Team by batting 1-4 with 1 RBI.  Colorado Rockies 2nd round pick, David Christensen (Miami, FL), legitimized his high round pick by displaying solid defense in right field.  Christensen robbed local hero J.J. Muse (Albuquerque, NM) of an extra base hit by using his deceptive speed to track down a potential game-changing hit in the bottom of the 6th inning. 

OTHER GAME NOTES:

• Another Atlanta native also had a stellar performance.  U. of Alabama signee Brandon May also went 3-4 with a double, a run and an RBI to pace the East attack.  May is from Lassiter High School which bested Demperio and Fuller’s Kell High for the Georgia State Title.

• Danny Almonte (Bronx, NY) displayed versatility in the field by turning in a solid performance at 1st Base and driving in two runs.  Almonte was scratched as the starting pitcher when his James Monroe High School team advanced to the PSAL City Finals earlier this week.

• East shortstop Ryan Jackson of Florida Christian High School finished the day 2-3 with 2 runs scored.  Jackson will attend the University of Miami next year.  Fellow teammate Bryan Morgado (Red Sox 34th Round) earned the win for the East Squad after pitching two solid innings.

• Another East squad standout was Sarasota, FL Designated Hitter Mark Sobolewski (Houston Astros 20th round) whose 3-run blast to left center in the 2ND  inning reclaimed the lead for the East.

• The Game Attendance was 8,613.

 
The All-American Baseball Game presented by PlayStation brings together 36 elite high school seniors to perform on a national stage.  In its fourth year, the All-American Baseball Game has featured current MLB prospects Eric Duncan (2003 1st Round Draft Pick, New York Yankees), Lastings Milledge (2003 1st Round Draft Pick, New York Mets), Blake Dewitt (2004 1st Round Draft Pick, LA Dodgers), and CJ Henry (2005 1st Round Draft Pick, New York Yankees).   

ALL-AMERICAN DRAFT DAY 1 RESULTS:

EAST.................................................................1 4 0 0 2 0 2 - 9
WEST................................................................2 0 2 0 0 1 2 - 7

E: Jackson, Tovar 2. LOB: East 4, West 9. 2B: Demperio, May, Jackson, Murray, Shepherd. HR: Alcombrack, Sobolewski. CS: none

WP: Rasmus, Fuller 2. HBP: Walker (Rasmus)
T: 2:28 A: 8, 613

For Call Backs and additional information, contact: 

Summer A. Harris, SportsLink, Inc.
Director of Public Relations
Mobile: 201.317.7377
sharris@allamericangames.com

Zach Morolda, SportsLink, Inc.
Media Coordinator
Mobile: 908.319.3392
zmorolda@allamericangames.com

Website: www.allamericangames.com