BASEBALL: Indians score tying, go-ahead runs for West in SIBCA All-Star Game; DHS's Craft named Coach of the Year

Several dozen area players gathered on Saturday for the annual Southern Illinois Baseball Coaches Association All-Star game, hosted at The Ballpark at Du Quoin High School. The West squad, featuring players from Anna-Jonesboro, Carbondale, Chester, Cobden, Du Quoin, Herrin, Mt. Vernon, Murphysboro, Nashville, Pinckneyville, Shawnee, Sparta, Trico and Waltonville, took out the East squad, consisting of All-Stars from Benton, Carmi, Carrier Mills, Century, Eldorado, Fairfield, Goreville, Hamilton county, Johnston City, Norris City, Webber Township and West Frankfort, 4-3 in the nine-inning senior contest.

Du Quoin's Jacob Valier and A.J. Smith scored the tying and go-ahead runs for the West in the bottom of the eighth inning after reaching base with walks. Pinckneyville seniors Cole Bigham and Nolan Luke also took part in the game for the West team.

In the underclassmen game, the East team was victorious 11-5. Indians Cole Hopkins, Ryne O'Rourke and Braden Lee took part for the West squad.

DHS head coach Tim Craft received the SIBCA Coach of the Year Award for Class 2A between games.