Five Sharks Named to All Star Squad

Published on July 16, 2012 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release


Wilmington, N.C. - The Coastal Plain League announced today that five Wilmington Sharks will participate in the league's 2012 All Star Game, which will take place on July 23 at Fleming Stadium in Wilson, N.C.

Among the five Sharks named among the league's top players are outfielder Aaron Preston, second baseman Casey Goss, shortstop Alex Freedman, and relief pitchers Wes Hatley and Andrew Brockett.

Preston, from Presbyterian College, started the season with hits in 12 of the team's first 13 games. During that stretch, he batted a league-best .429 (21-for-49), and was named the Rawlings Hitter of the Week on June 11 for the second week of CPL play. For the season, he leads the league in batting average at .333 (43-for-129), runs batted in (20), total bases (64), and stolen bases (21). His six doubles and three home runs are each tied for second on the squad, while his three triples are tied for first in the league.

Goss has earned his way onto the squad with very recent success, as he is currently on a 14-game hitting streak. Since June 23, the James Madison Duke is batting .389 (21-for-54) with ten runs scored, seven runs batted in, and seven walks taken. Overall, his .289 average (35-for-121) is second on the team, and his on-base percentage of .434 is tied with Preston for the best among the Sharks. He has taken 30 walks, second most in the league, and has stolen 15 bases which ties him for fourth in the CPL. In the field, Goss has been credited with 119 assists, most in the league.

At a position in which offensive numbers are typically limited, Freedman has been consistent for the Sharks despite a slow start at the plate. He is hitting .232 (26-for-112) and has taken 25 walks. The Lynn University shortstop had a stretch between June 4 and June 19 over which he notched a .372 average (16-for-43) with seven runs and 11 RBI, primarily as the ninth hitter in the batting order.

Hatley has helped the Sharks become one of the best bullpens in the CPL all season long. His earned run average of 1.57 (5 ER/28.2 IP) is second on the team, best among relievers. Out of UNC Charlotte, the righty has appeared in 20 games, fifth-most in the league. He has also registered 21 strikeouts and walked just five batters.

Brockett joined the Sharks from the University of Richmond, and has dominated the opposition since he arrived in Wilmington. Despite missing the first week of the summer season, his eight saves are second in the CPL while his 15 games finished are third. The right-hander has held opponents to a .169 average, fanning 23 and walking only six.

Preston, Goss, and Freedman will all play on the CPL American All-Stars, while Hatley and Brockett will be on the National team. Head coach Ryan McCleney, who has helped lead the Sharks to the Coastal Plain League's third-best overall record to date, at 23-14, will assist Edenton's Steve Moritz on the National All-Stars.

The Wilmington Sharks are members of Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Now in its 16th season, The Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer. The CPL has had over 1,000 alumni drafted and 53 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

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