BUTLER - A pair of unlikely stars shined the brightest Saturday afternoon at the Butler County American Legion Baseball All-Star Game.

Seldom-used pitcher David Slagle of Karns City struck out five consecutive hitters and light-hitting Trevor Dunkel of Center Township collected three hits and five RBI as the North rolled to an 11-1 win over the South at Pullman Park.

Dunkel entered the game batting under .200 with just five hits all season.

"Trevor is a pitcher and solid defensive player for us," Center Township manager Kevin Shaffer said. "He rotates in and out at first base when he's not pitching."

He was rotating teammates around the bases Saturday.

Dunkel delivered a two-out, two-run double in the second inning, a two-out run-scoring single in the fourth and another two-run double in the fifth to lead the North's 13-hit attack.

"I'd been in a slump, but I've been starting to hit the ball better lately," Dunkel said. "This wasn't a regular game, so I felt a lot more relaxed.

"I was just out here having fun."

Shaffer said Saturday's game was one Dunkel "will remember for the rest of his life."

"He always works on his hitting," Shaffer said. "When we have voluntary batting practice, he's one of the three guys that will show up. I'm thrilled for him."

Slagle usually plays third base for Karns City. Because teams are short of pitching at this time of the season, he took the mound for a pair of innings Saturday.

Slagle did not allow a hit and fanned the first five hitters he faced. He is averaging a strikeout an inning in seven innings pitched during the regular season.

"I felt more relaxed and just felt comfortable out there," Slagle said. "I was mixing in a curve with my fastball and was able to throw strikes."

Slagle contributed two singles and two runs scored offensively. Dunkel struck out three in two innings of pitching.

North starting pitcher Mark Doerr of Prospect was the winner and joined Slagle, Dunkel and Bill Dillon of Prospect in limiting the South stars to an unearned run and four singles.

East Butler and Butler Township - comprising 11 of the South's 15 players - played a 10-inning game Friday night that lasted until nearly midnight.

"Those kids looked tired out there," Shaffer said. "I'm sure it played a factor in this game."

East Butler manager Dess Schnur was impressed by the fact that all 11 of them still participated in the All-Star Game, the BCAL's first in more than 20 years.

"It shows they respect what we're trying to do here and wanted to be a part of it," Schnur said.

"We're hoping to make this an annual thing, but it's up to the league's managers and coaches whether they want to bring it back next year. I know I'm in favor of it."

South 000 010 0 - 1 4 2

North 020 351 x - 11 13 2

WP:

Mark Doerr (2 IP) 0 strikeouts, 0 walks.

LP:

Shane Seybert (2 IP) 1 strikeout, 2 walks

South:

Mike Skurko 1B, Todd Walker 1B, Matt Schnur 1B, Matt McCune 1B

North:

J.W. Shaffer 2-1B 2-R, Josh Smith 1B, David Slagle 2-1B 2-R, Clayton Smith 1B RBI, Shayne Bell 1B, Ryan Hays 1B RBI 2-R, Nathan Markle 2-R, Josh Swartzlander 1B RBI, Trevor Dunkel 2-2B 1B 5-RBI, Bill Dillon 2B RBI