Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Seton OF tries All-Star MVP on for size, South wins 4A-II

June 4, 2011 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


By Don Ketchum

For one day, Brian Sizer can say he was the best of the best.

The outfielder from Chandler Seton Catholic was named the Most Valuable Player of the Arizona Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A Division II All-Star Game on Saturday with two hits and two RBIs as the South defeated the North 12-7 at Surprise Stadium.

“I was just trying to have fun out there, not do too much,’’ Sizer said. “I was really shocked (to hear his name called when the MVP award was passed out). I didn’t think I hit that well. I just tried to make contact.’’

He drove in a run with a ground ball that resulted in an error in the first inning as the South rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take a 4-2 lead.

He singled and scored in a five-run third inning and drove in a run with a single and scored in a three-run fourth.

Sizer enjoyed his time as an All-Star and the chance to play in a major-league spring training facility (Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals).

“We had played here in the playoffs, so I knew what it was like. It’s a good place to play,’’ Sizer said.

It is his goal to play in college. He is planning to attend Scottsdale Community College.

“Hopefully I’ll be make the team,’’ he said.

Having an MVP award on his resume should help.

After giving up the two first-inning runs, South starter Nicco Blank settled down to keep the North off the board in the second and third innings. The right-hander, who helped Tucson Catalina capture its first 4A-II title since 1967, got credit for the victory.

Tucson Palo Verde coach Jim Mentz, who led the South, was pleased with the outcome.

“The kids played great,’’ he said. “We came out swinging and were able to put some runs up early. We had a lot of solid hits and just about everybody got a couple of at-bats (length of the game was expanded from seven to nine innings). That’s what the All-Star game is all about.’’

Outfielder Erick Quesada of Cottonwood Mingus had three hits to lead the North.