Ripken Sr. League Falls to Valley League in 2026 All-Star Game
The CRSCBL hosted their counterparts from the Shenandoah Valley for an exhibition contest between the two leagues' brightest stars.
By Jackson Lynch
ROCKVILLE, Md. — For the first time in 15 years, some of the best summer collegiate talent from two of the region’s top leagues faced off once again at Shirley Povich Field.
The Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars fell to the Valley League All-Stars 12-3 on Tuesday night, but not before putting together an early offensive surge highlighted by Thunderbolts outfielder Gabriel Pegues (University of Lynchburg) and Cropdusters outfielder Andrew Duncan (Duke).
Cloudy skies and light rain provided the backdrop as players from both leagues took the field for the renewed interleague showcase. ESPN broadcaster and Bethesda native Tim Kurkjian helped kick off the festivities by speaking to both teams before the game and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Former Major League slugger and Cal Ripken Sr. League Hall of Famer Justin Bour was also in attendance and received his Hall of Fame plaque.
After the Valley League grabbed a 1-0 lead on a solo home run in the top of the second inning, the Ripken Sr. League answered right back.
Big Train shortstop Cal Johnson (University of Maryland) started the rally with a leadoff single before Braves third baseman Alejandro Vazquez (Bryant) followed with a base hit of his own. Pegues then beat out an infield single to score Johnson and tie the game at 1-1.
Moments later, Duncan delivered the biggest swing of the night for the CRSCBL, ripping a two-run double into left field to score Vazquez and Pegues and give the home side a 3-1 lead. The CRSCBL strung together five hits in the inning and briefly grabbed the momentum before the Valley League regained the lead in the fifth inning and eventually pulled away.
Pegues turned in one of the Ripken Sr. League’s top performances, finishing 2-for-2 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.
The CRSCBL showed depth throughout the lineup, finishing with nine hits as eight different All-Stars recorded at least one. Along with Pegues’ two-hit performance, Johnson, Vazquez, Duncan, Hunter White (Aces, West Liberty), Landon Springmeyer (Cropdusters, Undecided), Collin Lott (Braves, Northern State) and Cole McKenna (Giants, Longwood) all collected hits.
White roped a ninth-inning double down the left field line, while Springmeyer stood out in limited action by going 1-for-1 with a stolen base.
Several Ripken Sr. League pitchers also turned in strong scoreless outings.
Bryce Dolby (Big Train, Cal State Bakersfield) opened the game with a clean first inning, striking out one without issuing a walk on just 13 pitches. Tommy Blackburn (Braves, Christopher Newport) followed with a scoreless third inning, needing only nine pitches to retire the side. Logan Hartman (Cropdusters, Jacksonville) added another shutout frame without allowing a walk.
Christian Dray (Thunderbolts, University of Richmond) turned in one of the sharpest outings of the night, striking out two while holding the Valley League hitless over one inning. Landon Edwards (Cropdusters, Towson) finished his outing with two strikeouts over two-thirds of an inning to cap another scoreless appearance.
With the All-Star Game complete, the focus now shifts back to the regular season as teams make their final push toward the postseason, which begins July 23.