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Area Code Games conclude as local players shine
http://www.sportzinemagazine.com/articles/77/1/Area-Code-Games-conclude-as-local-players-shine/Page1.html
Staff Writer
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By Staff Writer
Published on 08/13/2008
 
    Notre Dame Prep infielder Tony Piazza singled in the second game of the final day of the 2008 Area Code Games in Long Beach, CA., to give his Cincinnati Reds to tie the game in the third inning.  The Reds scored once more in the top of the seventh when Brophy Prep's Jake Williams, son of former Diamondbacks third baseman Matt Williams, doubled.
    But both hits came in a losing effort as the New York Yankees took the final game for both teams in the week-long showcase of elite high school talent that ended Monday.  The Games were won this year by the team representing the Texas Rangers in a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
    Notre Dame pitcher Casey Upperman was the first of a group of Arizona baseball players to make his mark at the Games.  Upperman was credited with the Reds' opening night's 1-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, Aug. 5.  In that same game, teammate Kirby Pellan from Corona del Sol HS doubled off Jeffrey Ames from Vancouver, Wash.   Two nights later, Jake Barrett from Desert Ridge HS, took the mound as the starting pitcher for the Reds, but was tagged for the first home run of the Games, as the Reds fell to the Texas Rangers, 4-0.  Lance Harper of Desert Mountain (Scottsdale) HS kicked in a single in the losing effort.
2008 Area Code Games
    Other players from Valley high schools invited to play at Long Beach included Matt Ozanne, Notre Dame outfielder.
    Players considered to be the best prep prospects in the country were placed on eight teams sponsored my Major League organizations.  More than 300 professional scouts were expected to attend this year's games.  Last year, seven players from the Area Code Games were taken in the first round of the Amateur Draft.