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Long ball on display at NDBL all-star games
Chris Greer of the New Lowell Knights tags Blake Faulds of the North Dufferin All-Stars at second base to make an out during the senior division All-Star Game on July 5, 2026 in Mansfield. New Lowell won the contest 8-2.
(David Anderson photo)
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July 6, 2026
Long-ball power was on display at the North Dufferin Baseball League all-star games Sunday, July 5, in Mansfield.
The 59th annual senior division all-star game featured the North Dufferin All-Stars, made up of players from every team in the league, against the New Lowell Knights, the defending league champions, in a nine-inning contest.
It marked the first time since 1986 that the league had used this format for the all-star game, and fans were treated to an offensive showcase. The Knights belted five home runs en route to an 8-2 victory.
Prior to the game, opening ceremonies highlighted the history of baseball in the area and recognized the Township of Mulmur's 175th anniversary. League secretary Scott Anderson presented certificates to Mulmur Coun. Andrew Cunningham and Emerson Pendleton of the Mansfield Cubs.
A ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Jax Ragazzon. Looking on were his father, Jesse Ragazzon, and grandfather, Kevin Greer, both former Mansfield players.
New Lowell opened the scoring in the third inning on a two-run homer by Todd Gowan. Chris Rettie followed with a solo shot in the fourth to make it 3-0. The All-Stars answered with two runs on a double by Ryan McNeill in the bottom of the fourth.
The Knights added a run in the seventh inning, three more in the eighth, including two home runs, and another on Nic Guthrie's solo homer in the ninth.
The All-Stars stranded seven runners on base.
McNeill and Eric Orser each doubled for the All-Stars, with Orser adding a single. Other hits came from Blake Faulds, Aaron McCleod, Matthew Leek, Dylan Embury, Ryan Barr, Gavin Mikaczo, Greg Slater and Leo Contreras-Severino.
For the Knights, Gowan, Rettie, Guthrie, Kurt Roy and Danny Herman all homered. Roy also added a single, while Guthrie and Rettie collected two hits apiece. Chris Greer contributed a single.
The Knights started ace Gowan on the mound. He pitched six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out seven, walking three and hitting one batter.
Shane Duffett worked one inning in relief, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out one.
Guthrie closed out the game, tossing two scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out four.
Matt Barr started for the All-Stars, pitching three innings and surrendering two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out three.
Liam Dupuis-Cundy pitched the next two innings, allowing one run on three hits, walking one and hitting one batter.
Matteo Stothers worked the sixth and seventh innings, giving up one run on one hit while walking one and striking out one.
Nolan Thomson pitched the final two innings, allowing four runs on four hits while walking one and striking out two.
Gowan was named the Knights' most valuable player, while McNeill earned MVP honours for the All-Stars.
WOLVES ROLL PAST BEARS IN JUNIOR DIVISION GAME
Following the senior game, the 30th annual junior division all-star game featured the Wolves against the Bears. The Wolves cruised to a lopsided 23-6 victory.
The Bears scored first with a run in the opening inning, but the Wolves responded with two runs in the bottom half. The Wolves then erupted for eight runs over the second and third innings before adding nine more in the fourth. They scored two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to put the game out of reach.
The Bears scored once in the fourth inning, added three runs in the fifth and plated another in the seventh.
Danny Herman led the Wolves' offence with three home runs and a double, driving in 10 runs. Tyler Hardwick collected two doubles and two singles, while Patrick Jannetta added a home run, a double and a single. Kieran Kraemer doubled, while Lukas Hayward, Tyson Groves and Liam Dupuis-Cundy each had two singles. Additional hits came from James Pritchard, Colin Morris, Jack Rispin and Adam Kerrs.
For the Bears, Elliott Cunning had a double and a single. Ryan Castellan and Luke Ristuccia each doubled, while Matt Dieter, Ryan Cummins, James Bullock, Ethan Fleming and Justin Goldie added singles.
Cunning started on the mound for the Bears, pitching 1 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs on six hits, walked one and struck out three.
Castellan relieved and worked 1 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on four hits while hitting two batters and striking out one.
Hayden Keba pitched one inning, allowing nine runs on six hits and hitting one batter.
Justin Goldie threw the final two innings, surrendering four runs on six hits while walking two and striking out one.
The Wolves used five pitchers. Jon Rossel started and pitched two innings, allowing one run on two hits while walking two and striking out one.
Groves worked the third inning, recording two strikeouts in a hitless frame.
Luke Millsap followed with one inning of work, allowing one run on two hits while walking one and striking out two.
Pritchard took the mound in the fifth, giving up three runs on one hit while walking one batter and striking out two.
Ethan Robertson pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on four hits while walking one and striking out two.
Herman was named the Wolves' most valuable player, while Ristuccia earned MVP honours for the Bears.
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