Bourne's Derek Bender, Orleans' Jo Oyama claim MVP at Cape League All-Star Game
The Cape Cod Baseball League marked its 100th season with the 2023 Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star game Saturday at Whitehouse Field in Harwich.
The day was steeped in all the usual game-day pageantries. Kids patrolled foul territory seeking autographs and baseballs alike, booths were set up with league partners, and the line at concessions cost each person at least an inning of live action.
Fans who attended were treated to the Home Run Derby prior to the evening's midsummer classic.
The derby had six competitors. Representing the West were: Coastal Carolina's Derek Bender from Bourne, Florida's Rene Lastres from Wareham, and Virginia Tech's Brody Donay, representing Hyannis. The three were joined by Mississippi State's Hunter Hines, and the Brewster pair of James Tibbs from Florida State, and Jared Jones (LSU).
Florida State's James Tibbs wins Home Run Derby
Ultimately it was Tibbs who claimed the title. The Whitecaps slugger entered the game with six home runs, and matched his season total with six in each of the two rounds to win the competition.
After a pregame ceremony honored the longest-serving volunteer at each of the 10 teams, the All-Star Game got underway.
The game ended in a 7-1 win for the West Division, with representatives from the Bourne Braves and the Hyannis Harbor Hawks doing a lot of the damage.
Bourne's Jonathan Vastine (Vanderbilt) was the leadoff hitter and did his job as a table setter. He reached base three times and came around to score each time. Donay, who competed in the Derby, came through in the game with a pair of RBIs and a run scored. His Hyannis teammate Cam Smith (Florida State) had a pair of RBIs as well.
Derek Bender of the Bourne Braves is MVP for West Division
But the MVP of the night for the West Division was Bourne's Derek Bender. The Coastal Carolina product finished 2-3 with an RBI.
"He deserves it, he's been raking all summer," Vastine said about his Braves teammate. "It's so nice to see somebody representing from Bourne that won the MVP and gets recognition for the hard work he puts in."
Bender has provided an impact for the Braves since the second he arrived at Doran Park this summer. Since being activated on June 17, Bender has established himself as one of the premier bats on Cape Cod. Bender leads the Braves and the League in average (.385), and leads the Braves in both home runs (4), and RBIs (21).
"He takes a lot of pride in his hitting," Bourne and West Division manager Scott Landers said. "He's hit really well, honestly all summer. Since he's been here, he's been really consistent."
For Bender, the day was less about his personal accomplishments and more about appreciating everyone he's sharing this summer with.
"Today just being out here and you get to meet the guy behind the baseball player," Bender said. "I think it just shows how many great people I share the field with, not only just talented baseball players."
Orleans Firebirds' Jo Oyama is East Division MVP
The East only mustered five total hits, and just a single run, but Divisional MVP Jo Oyama (UC Irvine), put the full range of his game on display.
On top of playing smooth defense at second base all night, Oyama, of the Orleans Firebirds, finished the night 1-3 with a walk, stealing a base, and scoring the lone run of the night.
"It's my baseball game," Oyama said "Every single game I try to play hard and help the team win."
It's the type of impact the Firebirds faithful have become accustomed to this season. Oyama sits second in the league in batting average (.383), just two points behind Bender. He also leads the league in triples with six, has eight doubles, has scored 24 runs, has driven in 11, and swiped five bases.
Oyama's Firebirds currently sit at 17-16, and are second in the East Division. With just less than two weeks until the postseason begins, Oyama has his eyes forward.
"I feel like (at this point) it's about how much you want to go to the playoffs," the Okinawa native said. "I want to go to the playoffs so bad, I want to make it happen."
Overall, the theme after the game was one of appreciation all around. Appreciation of the opportunity, and the players that were sharing the field.
"Even being selected was an honor," Vastine said. "When I found that I was getting the opportunity to come here with a bunch of elite athletes who all love the game, it was more happy than anything."
Contact André Simms at asimms@capecodonline.com. Follow him on Twitter: @that1guyandre
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: West division wins Cape League All-Star Game Saturday in Harwich
