2008 Onalaska High School graduate Kyle Stewart pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one baserunner on a bloop single to right, in Sunday's 37th annual Wisconsin American Legion Baseball all-star game at Miller Park in Milwaukee Sunday.
Stewart, who begins his first semester of college at Western Carolina Monday, entered with runners at first and second and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, with the North team scoring three times earlier in the frame to take a 6-2 lead. Stewart retired the final hitter he faced to get out of the jam and keep the South in the game.
Stewart, whose first college game will be played in mid-February, also pitched the sixth, sandwiching the bloop single around striking out the side. Stewart played the first two innings on defense in left field and did not have a defensive chance.
Offensively, Stewart was one-for-two. He singled to center in his first at-bat in the top of the fifth, lining a sharp ground ball just to the right-field side of the second-base bag.
The hit allowed Tomah's Kevin Barth to score after Barth had doubled, giving the South its first run. Stewart later stole second and scored on a base hit. Stewart flew out to left field in his second at-bat.
Despite Stewart's efforts, the South lost the game 6-4. The North has won the game at least the past 13 consecutive years.
Stewart was making his second career appearance at Miller Park after playing in last year's Brewers Classic, an all-star game for players between their junior and senior years of high school. OHS senior-to-be Jordan Guth played in this year's game Wednesday (after the Community Life deadline).
“I enjoyed it, especially with it being at Miller Park,” Stewart said. “Playing in a Major League stadium is an experience not a whole lot of people are able to do.
“I played better and pitched better than I did last year there. Now the ultimate goal is to hopefully get back there someday.”
The game was played following the Milwaukee Brewers-Washington Nationals 1:05 p.m. game. Stewart was introduced in pre-game ceremonies 35 minutes before the game, along with being honored at a banquet Saturday and brunch Sunday in West Allis.
The selection of Stewart marked the 11th time in the past 12 seasons in which a player from Onalaska was selected to play in the game. Ryan Malak and Brennan Mulroy were selected to play in the game in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Duke Cunningham played in the game in 1999, drawing a four-pitch walk in his lone plate appearance while catching three innings.
Ben LaFleur, played in the game in 2000, recording a hit in his lone plate appearance while playing three innings at first base. Kodi Kaiser was the Most Valuable Player in the game in 2001, striking out five of the seven batters he faced in a two-inning pitching stint.
Steve Dus struck out in his lone plate appearance in 2003. Chad Benz struck out swinging in his lone plate appearance in 2004.
Luke Zurbriggen pitched an inning, struck out swinging in his lone plate appearance and successfully handled three defensive chances in 2005, including a pop up near the third-base dugout. Bryant Rude pitched in the 2006 game. Andy Mills played in last year's game.
Milwaukee is the only major league city to sponsor a game of this nature. Players are nominated from the more than 190 teams playing Legion ball throughout Wisconsin.
Stewart, a four-year varsity player, played primarily pitcher, first base, third base and as a corner outfielder for Onalaska. Stewart is the son of Roger and Kay Stewart of Onalaska.

