Nothin' Could be Finer...
Carolina uses a big fifth inning to beat California for their first win in three years at the two leagues' annual All-Star grudge match.

06.24.03 - As a predominantly Californian crowd of 5,737 looked on unhappily, the Carolina League All-Stars whipped out three quick runs in the fifth, sealing a 5-3 victory over the hosting California League in the 2003 California vs. Carolina League All-Star Game.

The win snaps a two-year winless drought for the Carolina League, which fell 7-5 in the 2001 mid-summer classic and settled for a 3-3 tie in last year's contest.

The Carolina League got on the board early in the second inning off Quakes pitcher Steven Shell, when Andy Marte nailed an RBI double to left to put the Carolina squad up 1-0. Cliffords followed immediately with a single that brought Marte home.

They then proceeded to put the game out reach with three runs in the fifth, when Nate McLouth drilled a groundball to shortstop that J.J. Furmaniak had trouble handling, allowing Pena to score from third and put the Carolina League up 3-0. Ryan Doumit followed by smashing an RBI double off Mike Wodnicki, scoring Ruddy Yan and McLouth to expand the lead to 5-0.

The California League attempted to retaliate, cutting the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the inning. The rally continued through the next inning, raising fans' hopes as Rancho Cucamonga Quakes' acclaimed Nick Gorneault hammered a solo shot to left off Ryan Meaux . Greg Sain stretched the threat by reaching on an error, but saw the rally very quickly shut down when Josh Kroeger bounced into a double play. Furmaniak followed by striking out to end the game.

Ryan Wing picked up the win by starting, while Shell took the loss. Meaux received save for the Carolinas.

Inland Empire 66er centerfielder Greg Jacobs took home the California League MVP. Myrtle Beach Pelicans shortstop Tony Pena went 2 for 2, and clamed the Carolina League MVP, with a run scored.

Right-fielder Woody Cliffords highlighted the night with a beautiful catch in the second inning, robbing Jay Garthwaite by ensnaring a line drive with a diving catch, good enough to take home Defensive Play of the Game honors for Carolina.

Next year's California vs. Carolina League All-Star contest is scheduled to be held in San Bernardino, Calif., home to the Inland Empire 66ers.