Legends, Braves, Tourists clog All-Star rosters

Lexington, Rome and Asheville will be well represented with five players at the 47th Annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 20 at Classic Park in East Lake, Ohio.

On Tuesday, the league released rosters for the game, which will be hosted by the Lake County Captains.

Northern Division leader Lexington will have a strong presence. Manager Jack Lind leads the squad and he will bring with him the league's leading hitter, designated hitter Ole Sheldon (.364, 39 runs, 19 RBIs), and the league leader in wins, Thomas "Tip" Fairchild (7-3, 2.08 ERA, 64 strikeouts in 73 2/3 innings.)

Also aboard will be Legends teammates J.R. Towles (second in the league at .357), Eric King and Tommy Manzella.

South Division manager Randy Ingle also sports familiar faces in the dugout, including Rome pitchers Jo Jo Reyes (6-1, 3.18 ERA) and Chris Vines. Catcher Max Ramirez (ninth in the Sally at .322), first baseman Isaish Ka'aihue (second with 13 homers) and third baseman Eric Campbell (tied for fourth with 41 RBIs).

"It's a great honor for Randy ... to be selected to this year's team, not to mention the players who have all contributed to an outstanding first half of the season," Braves general manager Michael Dunn said.

Despite sitting in sixth place with a .500 record, Asheville will send pitchers David Patton and Brandon Durden, who are both 3-1 with ERA's below 3.00. Also named were second baseman Eric Young (leading the league with 42 stolen bases), shortstop Chris Nelson (33 RBIs) and outfielder Dexter Fowler.

Delmarva and Hickory each will send four players. The Shorebirds, a game behind the Legends in the division, will have three pitchers in the game, including league saves leader James Hoey (15), starter Chorye Spoone (5-1, Sally-best 1.80 ERA) and starter Brandon Erbe. Outfielder Quincy Ascencio rounds out the contingency.

Shortstop Brent Lillibridge (seven homers, 34 RBIs), outfielder Andrew McCutchen, catcher Steven Lerud and starting pitcher Luis Munoz (1.90 ERA) were selected from the Crawdads.

Five clubs will have a trio in the game, including host Lake County, West Virginia, Augusta, Columbus and Charleston. Representing the Captains will be pitcher Matt Davis, second baseman Matt Fornasiere and outfielder John Drennen, who on the same day he was named to the team homered off of future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens.

The Power will send catcher Angel Salome (third in the league with 43 RBIs), third baseman Mat Gamel and right fielder Lorenzo Cain.

The second-place GreenJackets are sending three players to the Midsummer Classic, led by designated hitter Anthony Contreras (fourth in the league at .324). Also earning berths on the team, outfielder Mike Mooney (.317) and pitcher Sergio Romo (5-1, three saves).

Three Catfish players have been tapped, including third baseman Russell Mitchell (40 RBIs, league-leading 22 doubles), Andrew Locke (third in the league at .345, second in RBIs with 44) and pitcher Cory Wade.

The league's fifth- and 10th-best hitters Reegie Corona (.338) and Jose Tabata (.319) will represent Charleston with pitcher Cory Stuart.

Ohio native Jonathan Niese was one of the two Hagerstown Suns named to the squad. He was the only high school player in the state ever to be named the Gatorade Prep Player of the year in back-to-back seasons. Teammate outfielder Fernando Martinez will join him at the game.

Lakewood will send two of the league's better pitchers -- Matt Maloney (third-best 1.90 ERA) and Carlos Carrasco (fourth, 2.03 ERA). And Greensboro infielder Gabriel Sanchez and left-handed pitcher Aaron Thompson round out the North squad.

Savannah and Greenville both have two representatives apiece pitcher Chris Jones (1.94 ERA in eight starts) and catcher Mark Wagner for the Drive and pitcher Gene Yost and catcher Brian Peacock for the Sand Gnats.

Rounding out the squad from the South will be right-handed pitcher Oneli Perez and outfielder Daron Roberts (eighth at .322) from the Kannapolis Intimidators.