MONROE — The Lafayette County All-Stars plated three runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back as they topped the All-Stars from Green County, 7-2, in the first-ever All-Star All-Cancer Baseball Game played at Monroe High School’s varsity baseball field July 7.

Black Hawk’s Rece Shelton went 3-for-3 with two runs driven in and a run scored, while Darlington’s Nick Andrae added two RBI and a run and Benton/Shullsburg’s Brooks Tiedeman scored two runs and drove in another to lead the Lafayette County squad to the victory. 

Andrae walked and scored on an error in the outfield following a two-out single by Pecatonica’s Everett Johnson to put the Lafayette All-Stars ahead to stay. Tiedeman and Shelton ripped back-to-back RBI-singles to extend the lead to 3-0.

Brodhead-Juda’s Jacob Miller singled and scored on a two-out error in the bottom of the second inning to get Green County on the scoreboard, but Andrae doubled home Pecatonica’s Colton Schraepfer to in the top of the fourth to get the run right back for the Lafayette team and he added an RBI in the fifth when he drove in Black Hawk’s Jayden Stietz with a ground out to make it 5-1.

Monroe’s Trevor Meier opened Green County’s fifth with a triple to centerfield and later scored on a two-out error to pull back within three at 5-2.

However, in the top of the sixth, Shelton singled home Tiedeman with his third hit of the game, and then scored from second base on a passed ball later in the frame to push the lead to five at 7-2.

Tiedeman and Johnson teamed up to retire the Green County All-Stars in order in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the win for Lafayette County.

Seven Lafayette pitchers combined to hold Green County to just two unearned runs on three hits in the game. All seven hurlers recorded at least one strikeout as the staff combined to fan nine batters while issuing just one walk. Shelton and Johnson each registered two Ks in the win.

Shelton finished 3-for-3 at the plate to pace Lafayette’s seven-hit attack. Schraepfer and Andrae each doubled in the game.

Monticello/Albany’s Josh Dahl singled in the fourth inning from Green County’s only other hit.  

The real winner on the day was the Justice For A Cure organization, who receiver a donation of over $5,000 from event organizer Christina Foley from all the fundraising efforts held during the game, including a 50/50 raffle, donation gift raffles, donation pots, honor stickers, concession stand food and merchandizing sales.

“It went fantastic. I can’t believe how well people came out to support this event,” said Foley, a life-long resident of Green County, a wife and mother of three who was diagnosed with stage 3 young onset Colorectal cancer at the age of 37. “I knew that the parents would come out to support their kids, but to see the crowd made up of community members who came out to support these kids as well was impressive and heartwarming.”

All the proceeds raised from the event will be donated to local community members who are dealing with cancer through Justice For A Cure.

Foley noted the outpouring of support she experienced from her family and the community during her treatment made her think about all those inflicted with cancer who did not have that type support to deal with the financial as well as physical and mental toll it takes to fight the disease. 

During her time of treatment and healing, she devised the All-Star All-Cancer Baseball Game as a way to pay it forward to other survivors who are in cancer fighting situations.

“I’ve been to a lot of baseball games, but the heart out here today was different. People really enjoyed this experience. The players were so fantastic through it all. They were all for the excitement of this game and helping out,” Foley said.

Along with the players and those running the donation stands, the coaching staffs of each team, the PA announcers and the umpiring crew were made up of volunteers who donated their time to make this first-time event a huge success.

“To see them take time away from their families on a Sunday means a lot to me. A lot of them were people who helped my family and I when I was going through cancer treatments. To see that they were willing to come out and help me with this, that kind of love and support is a great feeling,” she said.

Foley already has plans to make this an annual event, and added she learned quite a bit the first time through to make improvements so she can run it smoother and better next year.

“I can’t wait to do it again,” she exclaimed.    

For more details on how to make a donation or become a sponsor for next year’s event, please contact Christina Foley at allstarallcancer@gmail.com. They also have a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/allstarallcancergames. 

Donations can be sent to: Justice For A Cure — Attn: All-Star All-Cancer Games, 2935 S. Fish Hatchery Rd. #333, Madison, WI, 53711.