Featuring players from Washington and Pacific, the South team rolled past the North squad Saturday in the Ninth District Freshman Legion All-Star Game at Rotary Recreational Complex - Ronsick Field, 8-1.South Manager Jordan Bierbaum, also manager of the host Post 218 squad, says the outcome of Saturday’s Ninth District Freshman All-Star Game was indicative of the quality of baseball in the Washington area.“There’s quite a few talented players out this way, and that showed today,” said Pacific Manager Nathan Bruns, who was a coach with the South team.The contest was strongly decided by which team’s pitchers were more on target. With each pitcher throwing just one inning, there was little room for error.“Some of the pitchers on the other side were a little off, and it just seemed like our guys handled it better,” said Bierbaum.For the North, inability to find the strike zone was detrimental. In a game where hits were scarce, the South managed to take advantage of free bases and move runners home.“I think their pitchers were a little bit nervous and weren’t throwing a lot of strikes, and we were just smart at the plate with our bats,” said Bruns. “We took advantage of the free passes and sprayed a couple hits here and there.”Bierbaum said the South hitters were patient, and that helped.“We worked counts on their pitchers a lot,” said Bierbaum. “All it does is help our guys see the ball a little better.”Defense was another key to the game.“In the field we were solid defensively,” said Bierbaum. “Not just the Washington players, but our entire team. When you get to these wood bat games, pitching and defense usually win it for you.”The South promptly jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning, after North starter Zach Rimel walked one runner and beamed another two with errant pitches. Washington’s Trey Hunter singled, eventually scoring along with Pacific’s Reid Dauster, who reached home on a walk-off run.“We took advantage of the walks and the hit by pitches they gave us early,” said Bruns. “Those free passes helped us jump out to that 2-0 lead.”Austin Muich of Pacific tossed the first inning for the South, giving up one hit.“He was efficient as always, throwing strikes,” said Bruns. “He usually needs a couple of batters to get warmed up, but today out here he was fine.”The South went three-up, three-down in the second, before Kody Halmich took the mound. The Washington representative walked one and allowed a hit but escaped the inning unscathed.“For our South team today, every pitcher was ready to go right away,” said Bruns.In the third inning, the South placed two more runners on base but were stopped when a runner was tagged out on a chase down between third and home plate.Pacific’s Sam Fuchs took over pitching duties in the bottom of the fourth, walking one batter, who eventually scored on a pass ball.“Sam did a good job of pitching to contact,” said Bruns.The South team distanced its lead in the fifth, rattling off three runs.Washington’s Nik Alferman reached base on a fielder’s choice and ultimately scored on a walk-off run. Wentzville’s Derek Speitz and Nick Garafolo also scored during that frame.Will Davis of Washington opened the sixth inning with a single, advancing home on a pass ball. Washington’s Hunter, who was hit by a pitch, also scored on a sacrifice fly.The South tacked on its final run in the seventh inning, as Wentzville’s Trent Felton scored after reaching on a single.