Redlegs Send Three to AS Game, Two to HR Derby

08/05/2010
 

The Camden Redlegs had their first ever All-Star selections in 2010. Rookie Taylor Guntle was named as the Redlegs "automatic starter" for the Buckeye Division team. Guntle is hitting .403 with a HR and 13 RBI at the plate and is 5-0 with a 4.88 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 51 plus innings on the mound. He is among the league leaders in average, hits, doubles, runs, RBI, ERA, wins, and strikeouts.

Also voted in by teammates was rookie coach and veteran player Jacob Robinson and veteran Brad Clark. Robinson is hitting .353 with a HR and 15 RBI and Clark is hitting .343 with a HR and 17 RBI. Robinson is among the league leaders in hits, doubles, triples, RBI, and stolen bases and leads the MVABL in runs scored and Clark is listed with the leaders in hits, runs, and RBI.

The Redlegs also have a couple of players that could be considered All-Star snubs in rookies Matt Mattice and John Long. Mattice is hitting .329 with 14 RBI and is among the league leaders in several offensive categories. Long is hitting .343 with 10 doubles and a team leading 19 RBI.

The Buckeye Division team won the game 11-8 with all three Redlegs representatives contributing. Guntle started in center and reached base on both of his plate appearances beating out an infield single and drawing a walk. Clark started at first base and singled in one of his three at bats. Robinson was brought in to play shortstop in the 6th and stung a fly ball right at the centerfielder to bring in a runner from third for a sacrifice fly in his first at bat and was officially 0-1 on the day.

Guntle, Robinson, Clark, Brandon Howard, and Brian Kuhbander were all eligible for the HR Derby (at least one HR in league play on the season) but for various reasons only Robinson and Guntle actually participated. They both represented the Redlegs well. Robinson hit a line drive homerun into the left field seats in the first round and Guntle advanced to the second round with two long balls in the first. Guntle provided the crowd with one of the more impressive moments of the HR Derby when he hit a towering shot that bounced off the top of the left field foul pole.

At the end of the day, the Redlegs with the honor of being the first selections in franchise history did not disappoint. They played some good baseball and appear to be ready to lead the Redlegs down the stretch run and into the playoffs.