With eight players representing the ThunderBolts at the 2011 All-Star Week in Avon, Ohio, it was a good bet that a ThunderBolt would make his mark at All Pro Freight Stadium (home of the Lake Erie Crushers). Expectations were exceeded as Devin Shepherd and Mike Torres shined brightest for the Bolts during the festivities.
Devin Shepherd made his mark on Tuesday evening as he over-powered his competitors in the 2011 Home Run Derby. Devin was in 2nd place after the first round with eight home runs. It would be the second round where Devin would never look back. Moon shot after moon shot, a total of 12 home runs, in the second round put Devin easily in the finals. Devin's 20 home runs through two rounds was a new Frontier League All-Star Home Run Derby record. When Logan Parker of Gateway failed to hit any home runs during his turn in the finals, Devin just needed one to win the title. He would do that on his first swing. Devin Shepherd became the first ThunderBolts to win the All-Star Home Run Derby title
Mike Torres would follow up Shepherd's performance with a great showing in the All-Star Game on Wednesday. Torres went 2-for-3 with two singles, a run scored, and a stolen base. Mike was the best on-field player for the ThunderBolts during the game, and was a legitimate game-MVP candidate. Erik Lis of Joliet would get the All-Star Game MVP nod, as the East Division won the game 4-2.
Below is the rest game performances from the ThunderBolts' representatives
Brandon Anderson: 0-for-1 in one plate appearance as a reserve
Chris Wade: 0-for-1 in one plate appearance as a reserve
Zach Aakhus: 0-for-1 with a stolen base in one plate appearance as the DH starter
Dustin Williams: one hit, a home run, in one inning of relief work
Greg Johnson: one walk in a scoreless inning of relief work
Devin Shepherd: did not appear in the game
Todd Privett: was not in Avon as he was picked up by the Padres earlier in the week
