The 2023 All-Star Game returned to the friendly confines of Keller Field last  Sunday only to face a lot of adversity from mother nature. A torrential downpour early Sunday morning in Westlock had turned the infield and some parts of the outfield into a quagmire. A willing and determined grounds crew comprised of players from the Power Sports and Marine All-Stars spent all day sponging and raking and along with a warm summer sun managed to bring the field back to life.  Fans actually returned to the park after a four hour game delay and were not disappointed. Not only was the game well played by both clubs, but George and  Simone’s All-Star Dog Combo was a big hit as well. The night was warm and the traditional smells of a ballpark hotdog certainly captured the mood. 

The visitors opened the scoring in the top of the 1st after Visser had tripled and  Chies had followed with an RBI double. But the Beverly Optimist All-Stars responded with 2 hits while taking advantage of two hit batters to score 3 runs in their half of the inning. McLean-Poll, the starting pitcher for the home club,  allowed two hits but struck out two batters to deny the Power Sports and Marine  All-Stars any runs in the top of the second. Ryan Rivard faced only four batters while collecting three outs in his 2nd inning appearance. In the top of the third,  Nathan Brown drew a base on balls and followed that with two stolen bases,  eventually scoring on a passed ball to close the score to 3-2 with the Beverly  Optimist All-Stars still holding onto a lead they would not relinquish. Sean  Beaudoin had the best pitching performance of the day allowing no runs in his two innings of work while striking out 3 of the 6 batters he faced. Jake Moger returned the favour by allowing only one hit and no runs in his two innings of work for the Beverly Optimist All-Stars. The score remained 3-2 after four innings when Ryan Gregory took to the hill to record 3 strikeouts while giving up only one walk and a single hit. The versatile Chase Visser threw one inning for the  Power Sports and Marine All-Stars recording three quick outs including a  strikeout on only three batters faced. The home club put the game away by amassing 3 hits and scoring two additional runs off closer Nathan Brown. Rake  Hayden did the rest for the Optimist Club All-Stars by retiring three of the four batters he faced. Vaughn Rempel of the Twins was selected as the Most Valuable  Player of the All-Star Game by going two for three with two RBIs late in the game. 

The final score: Beverly Optimist Club All-Stars 5 Power Sports & Marine All-Stars 2.