Miners named ABL All-Stars

PALMER — With less than a week left in the regular season, the Mat-Su Miners may be on the verge of solidifying their spot in the postseason.

But today, 11 Miners will take a break from league action to participate in the 2014 ABL All-Star Game.

Five pitchers, two infielders, two outfielders, a catcher and designated hitter will represent Mat-Su in the event, slated for 4 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Mat-Su head coach Ben Taylor said. “All were extremely deserving of their selections. We’re very proud of all of them for being named to the all-star teams. It’s a huge honor for them as players, as individuals.”

Mat-Su enters the ABL all-star break with a 17-10 league mark and a four-game lead in the ABL’s National Division.

“The entire club has had something to do with us winning games, being where we are,” Taylor said. “It’s nice for some of the guys to be awarded for their individual accomplishments as well.”

The group of Miners selected includes league leaders in hits, triples, RBIs, earned run average, wins and saves.

Mat-Su outfielders Cameron Newell and Cameron Frost, each a leader in at least one category, will play for the ABL National Division All-Stars. Heading into play Saturday, Newell led the ABL with 36 RBIs. The UC Santa Barbara product was also third in batting average (.365) and second in home runs (seven). Newell has spent chunks of the season leading both of those categories.

“He’s a really complete baseball player,” Mat-Su head coach Taylor said of Newell recently. “He’s strong as an ox. He’s very strong for his size. He’s got a short, compact, consistent swing. He’s not going to get himself in trouble a lot.”

Newell has struck out only six times this year in 104 at-bats.

Frost, a Washington State outfielder, leads the league in both hits (43) and triples (seven). Frost is also batting .333 with five home runs, 22 RBIs and 32 runs scored.

“Frost, he’s an anchor. He’s played almost every inning of every game,” Taylor said recently.

Mat-Su will also be represented by arguably the league’s top starter and closer.

Closer Vince Arobio leads the ABL with six saves. He also has a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings of work. Mat-Su starter Tyler Stubblefield leads the league in both ERA (1.26) and wins (four). Stubblefield, a Texas A&M product, has struck out 34 hitters, while walking only nine, in 35 innings of work. He also has a pair of complete games.

Mat-Su pitchers Jon Ferrendelli, Ryan Oglesby and Ryan Hendrix will join Stubblefield and Arobio on the National Division All-Stars. Ferrendelli is also 4-0 this season, with 19 strikeouts in 30 innings. Hendrix, another Miners starter from Texas A&M, is 2-1 with 28 strikeouts. Oglesby has made 12 appearances in relief, and has a 2-0 record and 3.77 ERA.

Catcher Josh Meyer (.296, 21 hits), infielders Paul Panaccione (.290, 31 hits, 21 runs) and Jordan Rodgers (.297, 19 hits, 10 RBIs), and designated hitter Jonny Locher (.328, 19 hits, 15 runs) have also been named all-stars.

In addition to the players named to the team, Taylor was named the head coach of the National Division All-Stars. Mat-Su’s assistants Brad Baker and Sean Winston will also be on the coaching staff during the game.

The league will also host the ABL Home Run Derby today at 1 p.m. at Mulcahy. Newell and Frost are among 13 sluggers slated to participate.

Mat-Su boasts a pair of ABL home run champs since 2011. Former infielder Adam Martin won the derby in 2011. Former outfielder Gio Brusa was crowned ABL home run king last summer.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.

2014 ABL All-Star Game

National Division All-Stars:

Pitchers — Tyler Stubblefield, Miners; Jon Ferrendelli, Miners; Ryan Oglesby, Miners; Vince Arobio, Miners; Ryan Hendrix, Miners; Kyle McDorman, Chinooks; Thomas Altimont, Chinooks; Cameron Pongs, Pilots; Henri Faucheux, Pilots; Chandler Blanchard, Pilots; Catchers — Josh Meyer, Miners; Riley Adams, Pilots; Infielders — Paul Panaccione, Miners; Jordan Rodgers, Miners; Jon Popadics, Chinooks; Jackson Cramer, Chinooks; Billy Arendt, Chinooks; Kevin Viers, Pilots; Trevor Podratz, Pilots; Clayton Taylor, Pilots; Justin Protacio, Pilots; Outfielders — Cameron Newell, Miners; Cameron Frost, Miners; Steven Pollex, Chinooks; Shawn Wood, Pilots; Chestor Pak, Pilots; Designated hitters — Jonny Locher, Miners; Nikko Saenz, Pilots.

American Division

Pitchers — Miles Chambers, Panners; Mike Benson, Panners; Tylor Megill, Panners; Bret Marks, Bucs; Evan Manarino, Bucs; Alex Godzack, Bucs; Trevor Lacrosse, Bucs; Devon Stewart, Bucs; Chad Rieser, Oilers; Nolan Sheridan, Oilers; Tyler Gibson, Oilers; Dallas DeVrieze, Oilers; Shawn Mason, Oilers; Catchers — Mike Wieland, Panners; Evan Powell, Bucs; Infielders — Ryan Clark, Panners; Tanner Pinkston, Panners; Cody Nulph, Panners; Mark Krueger, Bucs; Cabe Reiten, Bucs; Alex Rubanowitz, Oilers; Mylz Jones, Oilers; Outfielders — Scott Hurst, Panners; Jacob Hayes, Panners; Andy Crowley, Bucs; Dylan Butler, Bucs; Jordan Sanford, Oilers; Jake Sandlin, Oilers; Utility — Vahn Bozoian, Panners.

2014 ABL Home Run Derby

Participants — Cameron Frost, Miners; Cameron Newell, Miners; Matt Decker, Miners; Steven Pollex, Chinooks; Jackson Cramer, Chinooks; Clayton Taylor, Pilots; Trevor Podratz, Pilots; Nikko Saenz, Pilots; Gabriel Munoz, Oilers; Dylan Butler, Bucs; Evan Powell, Bucs; Vahn Bozoian, Panners; Jacob Hayes, Panners.