Huntsville dominates SL North All-Star roster

There will be plenty of Stars out to showcase their talents during the 2007 Southern League All-Star Game on July 9 at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss.

The North Division All-Star team, which was voted on by Southern League field managers, radio broadcasters, general managers and print media, features seven players from the Huntsville Stars, followed by five players from West Tenn, four apiece from Carolina and Tennessee and three representatives from Chattanooga.

It should come as no surprise that the Stars lead the North Division in nominations, given that Huntsville was the first-half division champion. First baseman Steve Sollmann got the nod from voters after hitting .313 with a team-best 81 hits, and right fielder Brendan Katin will join him after leading the Stars in RBIs (50) and total bases (118). Pitcher Marino Salas is fourth in the Southern League in saves (13) and has a microscopic 0.90 ERA in 28 games.

Third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo headlines the bunch from West Tenn. Tuiasosopo leads the Diamond Jaxx in runs (43), hits (70) and doubles (18), while accumulating a .390 on-base percentage. Along with right fielder Prentice Redman, the Diamond Jaxx will also send a trio of pitchers, including starters Robert Rohrbaugh and Joe Woerman, as well as closer Craig James. Rohrbaugh has accumulated a team-best seven wins this year and Woerman has a 3.32 ERA in 15 appearances.

Tennessee right-hander Mark Holliman has more reason to celebrate after tossing the first no-hitter in the Southern League since 2005 against the Stars last Thursday. Holliman is the lone Tennessee pitcher to make the All-Star game, but the Smokies have plenty of firepower from the offensive side of the lineup making its way to Pearl. Outfielder Jake Fox is fourth in the league with 14 home runs and fifth in hits with 83. Switch-hitting designated hitter Matt Craig leads the Smokies with a .325 average and 15 doubles on the year.

Carolina has struggled so far in 2007, finishing at the bottom of the North with a 28-42 first-half record. The left side of the Mudcats' infield has been solid all season long, though, and was rewarded when voters chose third baseman Lee Mitchell and shortstop Chase Lambin to play for the North. The duo has combined for 133 hits and 19 home runs this season while trying to keep Carolina afloat. At 3-7, Gaby Hernandez's record may not be All-Star worthy, but he has been a model of consistency for the Mudcats, leading the team with 86 1/3 innings pitched and has accumulated a respectable 3.75 ERA in 16 appearances.

Also making the squad from Hunstville were pitchers Mark DiFelice and Lindsay Gulin along with outfielder Steve Moss. Four other players were named to the North Division squad but will be unable to participate due to getting promoted after the voting began. Pitchers Geoffrey Jones of Tennessee, Calvin Medlock of Chattanooga and Manny Parra of Huntsville all made the team, along with Tennessee outfielder Josh Kroegoer.

The Southern League will announce the South Division All-Star team Wednesday.