Napoleon helps South get win in Agganis baseball

LYNN – Similar to its softball predecessor, the 20th edition of the Agganis all-star baseball game saw the South squad string together a game-changing, five-run second inning before holding on for a 6-4 victory on Sunday afternoon at Fraser Field.With the win, the South improves its record to 13-6-1 in the all-time series.?I don?t usually agree to coach all-star games but the Agganis Game means an awful lot to me,” explained South coach, and Lynn native, Frank Carey. “It?s nice to get the win but more than anything I hope the kids realize the overall importance of the Agganis Foundation.”Carey, the winningest coach in Massachusetts history, coached in the inaugural game in 1995.?I knew Frank would win from the start,” joked South coach Dan Letarte (St. John?s), who participated in his first Agganis showcase. “He?s a great guy and he deserves every win he gets.?Obviously, the end result isn?t very important in a game like this with a special cause. All these kids are here for a reason and they went out, had fun and provided us with a fun day of baseball.”Lynnfield?s Jordan Roper got things started in the second with a one-out double to right before scoring on an ensuing single from Saugus? Joe Prince. Lynn Classical?s Justin Avery drew a walk before the North?s defense slipped up.Andrew Napoleon (Lynn English) reached on a misplay in right field that brought in two runs before Keith Linnane (North Reading) delivered an RBI single. Lynnfield?s David Johnson reached after a miscue at shortstop allowed Linnane to score from second.The North would cut into the lead with some two-out magic in the fifth.Central Catholic?s Kevin Regan (North MVP) and Tim Awiszus (Andover) recorded consecutive singles from the top of the order before Joe Klingensmith (Masconomet) plated the former with a rip up the middle. Gloucester?s Jordan Pallazola?s ensuing bloop single to center scored Awiszus.Solo runs in the sixth and seventh cut the home team?s deficit to one.Sean McGrath (Peabody) walked and scored on a Collin Couillard (North Andover) groundout to second in the former frame. Regan drew a bases-loaded walk the following inning, bringing home Ryan Kuchar (Pentucket), who had reached on a one-out single.Napoleon would lock up South MVP honors in the seventh after his one-out single gave way to a swipe of second, an advance to third and a successful double-steal with Linnane, who had walked.?It was a bit of a surprise, actually,” explained the Bulldogs? senior of the recognition. “I just wanted to go out and work hard for my teammates. It was a really great experience to be a part of and an honor to play for Coach Carey in a game dedicated to Harry Agganis.”