Led by a monstrous cast of Washington players, the South team cruised to a 6-2 victory over the North during the District Nine Freshmen All-Star game on Saturday.

The freshmen contest opened a tripleheader at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O’Fallon that featured the district’s most talented prospects.

The South roster consisted of players from two of the stronger teams in the league, Washington and Daniel Boone.

Three Warrenton players also helped fill out the lineup for the South team.

Gabe McKinnon, Kenny Dildine and Matt Schneider all experienced at least one inning on the field.

Jakob Junker was also nominated for the team but was unable to attend due to prior engagements.

“It was a lot of fun for the boys,” said Warrenton assistant coach Hal McKinnon. “All three Warrenton boys did well. It was too bad Jakob couldn’t make it.”

Dildine made two appearances at the plate as a second-team first baseman. He struck out swinging in the fifth inning and walked in the seventh. Dildine served at first base during the fifth and sixth innings.

McKinnon pitched during the bottom of the fifth, retiring the first three batters he faced. He recorded a strikeout and gave up two ground balls that resulted in routine outs.

“Gabe had a good inning pitching, retiring all three batters he faced,” said McKinnon. “He ended up facing the starting lineup of the North in the fifth inning, pitching to the No. nine, one and two batters.”

McKinnon ended up being the only pitcher on the South team to retire the order one-two-three. The North team had two pitchers accomplish that feat.

Schneider’s first appearance came in the top of the sixth, when he served as a courtesy runner. The third-team outfielder got his turn at bat in the eighth inning, walking to help load the bases. Schneider would eventually score a walk-off run to help the South push ahead 6-1. He spent the final two innings playing in right field.

The South never trailed, holding a 1-0 advantage through three innings. The North pulled in a runner on a pass ball in the bottom of the third.

The South countered in the fourth, as Washington’s Dillon Bollmann drove in a run to push his team ahead 2-1.

The South scored two more runs in the top of the sixth, as an errant throw to first base went sailing into the bleachers. Washington’s Noah Borgerding collected a hit to keep the rally going, but his courtesy runner ended up stranded.

Borgerding’s single in the eighth would count for more, as it helped load the bases and bring in a pair of runs to give the South a commanding 6-1 advantage.

The North attempted to string together a rally in the bottom of the ninth, scoring a pair of runs. Two runners were left stranded, as the South defense hammered down for a victory.

Warrenton assistant coach Kenny Dildine had the privilege of serving as one of the coaches during Saturday’s game. He never got the chance to play in the all-star game as a player but was able to serve as coach while watching his son compete this season.

“It was a great experience to be able to sit there and coach a group of 32 very talented kids,” said Dildine. “We got to talk baseball and learn from other coaches the true meaning of the phrase “for the love of the game.”

The South team also included representatives from New Haven, Union, and Central. The North team consisted of players from St. Peters, St. Charles, Wentzville, Clarksville, Troy and Elsberry.