MADISON — The All-Stars from the teams in the Home Talent League’s Northern and Western sections got a big start from Mazomanie lefty Quintin Zander Friday in a 5–4 win over the East/Southeast stars in the Home Talent League All-Star game at the Duck Pond/Mallard’s Stadium in Madison Friday night.
     But his finish was even bigger.
     Zander pitched a scoreless first inning as he gave up a hit while striking out two to help the N/W stars in their quest for their first win of the annual series. He then re-entered in the ninth inning with two outs to take a turn at the plate.
     Zander lined a pitch from E/SE pitcher Kyle Bates to the wall in right center to send Middleton’s Scott Brabender home with the game winner. 
     Brabender had walked and took second when Dodgeville’s Mark Ludwig singled to send him into scoring position. Zander then settled it with his shot to the gap.
     Zander’s hit gave the decision to Plain’s Joe Gorman who had worked a three-up, three down top of the ninth.
Both teams used a pitcher an inning as 18 made it to the mound.
     Platteville representatives Michael and Seth Feldman each went 1-for-1 at the plate to aid the E/SE victory. Michael, the older of the two brothers, was a reserved second baseman. Seth was a reserve catcher.
     The E/SE stars scored first when they plated a run in the top of the third. Whitewater’s Nick Raether led off with a single, advanced on a single by Cottage Grove outfielder Graham  Schroeder-Gasser then scored on a double play.
     The N/W answered in the fourth when Ridgeway’s Adam Halverson walked, took second when Richland Center’s Mike Hemling was hit by a pitch and scored on a single by Matt Statz from Cross Plains.
     The E/SE put up three runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-1-lead. 
     McFarland’s Joey Lieberman doubled and later scored on a wild pitch. Rio’s Grant Moon singled, advanced on an error and scored on a passed ball. Stoughton pinch hitter Justin Moore walked and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Evansville’s John Duerst.
     The N/W cut the lead to one when Cazenovia’s Nick Ihde took a pitch out of the park for a two run home run in the bottom of the fifth. His blast scored Monroe’s Mitch Marty who had reached with a single.
     The game became tied in the seventh when Waunakee’s Cody Zirbel doubled and scored when Scott Brabender singled.
The teams battled scoreless until Zander came up with the big hit in the bottom of the ninth.
     The N/W squad had a 12-10 advantage when it came to hits.  Zander, Zirbel, Statz and Pine Bluff’s Cory Stamn all had a double to go with Ihde’s home run.  Lieberman and Lake Mills’s Van Graves doubled for the E/SE.
     Raether and Albion’s Aaron Laskowski both had multiple hit games as each went 2-for-2.