Eleven Miners Named to 2016 Alaska Baseball League All-Star Game
July 17, 2016 - Alaska Baseball League (Alaska)
Mat-Su Miners News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - On Sunday afternoon, top collegiate prospects from the Alaska Baseball League will suit up in the blue and gold to represent their programs in the 2016 All-Star Game at Mulcahy Stadium.
Eleven members of the Mat-Su Miners roster were selected for the event, with Ben Taylor earning his fourth straight nomination as a head coach.
"It's really humbling just to able to coach in this league period, but to manage the All-Star Game for a fourth year in a row is something really special," Taylor said. "I feel very blessed."
Notable nominees included Mat-Su first baseman Jake Scudder and closer Jordan Floyd. Scudder sits second in the league standings with 20 RBIs, while Floyd has collected seven saves this summer for the Miners.
"It will be great to come out and play with a lot of other guys who are some of the best in the country," Floyd said. "The coaches have given me the confidence that I can go out there and hit the strike zone and that my defense behind me will put in the work."
Miners starting pitcher Justin Vernia also earned an All-Star nomination from the league after posting a 0.84 ERA.
"My goal is to come into the All-Star Game for an inning and throw three straight strikeouts," Vernia said.
Nominees from all five Alaska Baseball League organizations will be randomly separated into two teams for the event. Taylor will manage the Blue Team, while Anchorage Bucs head coach Anthony Hutting will manage the Yellow Team.
Mat-Su players participating in the event include the following:
Yellow Team
Andy Cosgrove - Catcher
Levi Jordan - Second baseman
Josh Bissonette - Shortstop
Justin Vernia - Pitcher
Jacob Hughey - Pitcher
Gage Burland - Pitcher
Blue Team
Jake Scudder - First baseman
Garrison Schwartz - Outfielder
Michael Donadio - Outfielder
Trent Shelton - Pitcher
Jordan Floyd - Pitcher
In addition to an All-Star nomination from the league, Scudder is scheduled to participate in the ABL Home Run Derby with Miners outfielder Cam Montgomery.
"It's an awesome feeling, it just adds on to the accomplishments and hard work," Scudder said. "Me and my teammates are excited to get out there and compete while having fun."
The Home Run Derby begins at 1 p.m. with the All-Star Game set to follow at approximately 4 p.m.
Alaska Baseball League Stories from July 17, 2016
- Montgomery Wins ABL Home Run Derby - Mat-Su Miners
- Miners Hold Community Yoga Event - Mat-Su Miners
- Bucs Blast Miners in Final Scout's Showcase Game - Mat-Su Miners
- Eleven Miners Named to 2016 Alaska Baseball League All-Star Game - Mat-Su Miners
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