Thursday, July 12, 2007

MACON, Ga. – Four Atlantic Sun baseball student-athletes have participated in early All-Star games held by some of the major wood-bat summer leagues. Belmont has been well represented in these early contests with three All Stars with Josh Upchurch from Florida Gulf Coast as the fourth player from the A-Sun Conference to participate in an All-Star game.

The early star of stars has been Belmont's Derek Wiley. He hit a three-run home run in the Texas Collegiate League's All-Star game on Monday night, accounting for the only runs of the game, en route to being named the game's MVP.

One day earlier, Wiley's teammate, pitcher Jimmy Stanley, pitched a scoreless second inning for the South All-Stars in the Valley Baseball League's All-Star game. Stanley retired the side in order with three groundouts. His side, the South, ultimately lost the game 2-0.

The Bruins' third All-Star, Brandon McCall played a key role in the North All-Stars win in first ever Northwoods League All-Star Game, held Wednesday. In the seventh inning of a 1-1 game, McCall drew a walk and ultimately scored the go-ahead run on a ground-rule double. The North held on for a 3-2 victory. Earlier in the day, McCall participated in the Home Run Derby contest. He hit two home runs, but was eliminated in the first round.

Florida Gulf Coast's Josh Upchurch started in right field for the North squad in the Northwoods game. He earned the starting nod due to part to his .326 batting average and 25 runs scored for Alexandria, both team highs. Upchurch went 0-for-2 in the game.

On Sunday, the Florida Collegiate Summer League will hold its All-Star game. The Atlantic Sun will be well represented in the game with 10 student-athletes participating in the contest. Florida Gulf Coast's Jason Peacock will also be competing in the Home Run Derby.

Two days later, the Coastal Plain League's All-Star game will feature a trio from Campbell. Second baseman Brandon Scott, third baseman Rob Lyerly and Pitcher Justin Lilly will make up one third of National All-Stars starting lineup. USC Upstate's Kyle Bowley also made the National All-Star team. Bowley is hitting .282 for Spartanburg and is second on the team with 20 runs batted in.

All-Star games for the Southern Collegiate Baseball League and Cape Cod Baseball League will be contested later this month.