West rallies, wins PG All-American Classic

Pitchers dominated early, but with lineups as loaded as those at the Perfect Game All-American Classic, it was only a matter of time before a team broke through.

Ultimately it was the West squad that come out on top, defeating the East 4-2 in the 17th annual edition of the showcase on Sunday at Petco Park.

Drew Bowser, who won the PGAAC Home Run Challenge on Sunday morning, showed off his power with a double off the wall and then scored the West’s first run via a bases-loaded walk en route to being named the game's Most Valuable Player.

In the seventh inning, Louisville commit AJ Vukovich, who hit .308/.357/.654 in this summer's Prospect Development Pipeline League, broke a 1-1 tie and gave the West a lead it wouldn't relinquish with a booming double.

Vukovich later scored on a passed ball and Daniel Susac added an RBI single of his own to complete the three-run frame.

Before the West offense broke the game open, the showcase, which featured several of the top high school players from around the country, was shaping up to be quite the pitcher’s duel.

Mick Abel got things started with a scoreless first for the West squad, but he was far from the only pitcher -- on either side -- to impress.

Alex Santos, pitching for the East squad, struck out a pair in his inning of work and Daxton Fulton (West) struck out the side in the third.

With the pitchers carving up the lineups, the offenses had to force the action and that’s just what Mario Zabala did as he scored the first run of the game for the East. Zabala put his speed on full display as he stole second base, stole third and then scored on an errant throw.