By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Oak Mountain High School senior David Dahl couldn’t have dreamed of a better road trip to end his summer.

Dahl found himself batting leadoff and starting in center field Aug. 14 for the East team in the Perfect Game All-American Classic, which was televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network, at PETCO Park in San Diego, Calif.

Dahl drew praise from Perfect Game national director of scouting David Rawnsley, who provided analysis of each player during the telecast.

As the 6-foot-2, 185-pound outfielder approached the plate for the opening at-bat, Rawnsley said Dahl was an easy selection for the game featuring 46 of the top high school baseball players in the country. Rawnsley noted Dahl’s time of 6.49 seconds in the 60-yard dash, which is exceptional for a high school outfielder.

“(Dahl) is probably the best defensive outfielder in the country (in the Class of 2012),” Rawnsley said. “He’s got a great throwing arm.”

Dahl finished 0-for-3 at the plate with a strikeout in the East’s 6-2 loss to the West.

Dahl, who has verbally committed to play college baseball at Auburn University, led off the game with a ground out to third base in his first at-bat in the top of the first inning.

Dahl struck out looking in his second at-bat in the top of the fourth inning on a called third strike after a pitch by West pitcher Max Fried covered the outside corner of the plate.

Dahl led off the top of the seventh inning and capped his performance with a ground out to second base in his final at-bat.

Dahl was one of three players from the state of Alabama to play for the East squad in the all-star game. Dahl was a teammate of Hueytown High School senior Jameis Winston, a Florida State University commitment who is considered one of the top football and baseball prospects nationally in the Class of 2012. Oxford High School senior Tucker Simpson also participated in the game.

Dahl, who missed his sophomore season at Oak Mountain with a back injury, visited Rady Children’s Hospital with his teammates in the all-star game during his trip to San Diego.

The game capped a busy summer for Dahl. Dahl was on track to advance in the first team trial for the USA Baseball 18-and-under National team after shining in the first two games of the Tournament of Stars at the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, N.C., in late June. However, Dahl had to withdraw from the tournament after his first two games due to an illness.

Dahl went 5-for-8 at the plate in his two games at the Tournament of Stars.

Dahl finished 3-for-4 at the plate with two triples in his first game in the tournament. Dahl, who also had a stolen base, drove in two runs and scored two runs in the game.