Kent Island High School's Devin Gardner, the South MVP, hit a home run and a double to lift his squad to a 10-5 win in the 27th annual Brook Robinson Senior All-Star game Sunday at Camden Yards.
Kent Island High School senior Devin Gardner had a big year at his Stevensville school on the Eastern Shore.
The team captain led the Buccaneers to their first state title but it was his performance at the 27th annual Brooks Robinson Senior All-Star game that will stay with him forever. The fond memories will definitely come to mind ever time he comes back to Baltimore to watch the Orioles play.
In the first inning, Gardner hit a solo home run that bounced on the left-field wall at Camden Yards and fell into the stands.
"It was just an amazing feeling," said Gardner, who added a double and was named MVP of the South team, which topped the North,
10-5.
"From now on, I can always come to Camden Yards and know that I hit a home run here."
Gardner, who played center field for the South, helped Kent Island rally in the seventh inning for a
6-5 victory over Marriotts Ridge to win the Class 2A championship at Ripken Stadium on May 24. He led off the final inning with a walk and scored the tying run on a wild pitch.
On Sunday, a simple trot around the bases would suffice as the South opened a 1-0 lead.
"I didn't think it was going out at first," Gardner said. "To play in an all-star game and to hit a home run ... it was just amazing."
Gardner's coaches were in the stands and after the game, jokingly asked for autographs from their standout player. During the season, getting the Buccaneers some publicity was an issue. Playing ball on the Eastern Shore can affect exposure but when participating in the an All-Star game that attracts the top talent from the state and performing under the spotlight was a big deal, Gardner said.
After batting .441 and sporting a .763 slugging percentage this past sedason, he will play at Anne Arundel Community College next year.