10 Orange Belt players sent to All-Stars Game

The stars are coming out tonight as 40 of the area’s top baseball players showcase the goods for the Exeter Lions Club’s Annual East-West All-Star baseball game in Exeter.

But these particular stars get to help make history as tonight’s 7 p.m. game marks the 50th anniversary of the All-Stars.

Ten of the 20 players from the East roster hail from the Orange Belt — two each from five teams.

Coaches from each school nominated four of their own players and the selection committe took two players from each school to participate.

The EYL’s second-place team, Monache, will send recently-named EYL MVP pitcher Aaron Gray and Nate Crocker to Exeter this year.

With Crocker at shortstop, this year’s East team will be bolstered by the infield play of Lindsay’s Donovan Castro, Strathmore’s Jesse Soria and Granite Hills’ Alex Lamb.

Lamb’s Grizzlies teammate, Matt Camargo, will be joined in the outfield by Lindsay’s Gary Baker and Porterville’s Nate Brown.

The Panthers’ Kevin Hulse and Strathmore’s do-it-all senior Mario Lemus will anchor catching duties along with Tulare Union’s KC McPhetridge.

Though Tulare Western dominated the the EYL with an 11-1 record and boast multiple All-Star caliber talent, the Mustangs will send just two — infielder Stephen Martins and pitcher Manny Coelho.

The Marauder and Panthers, who each sent at least five to the All-EYL First and Second teams, along with Lindsay, which finished second in the ESL, could say the same, as any number of their players could have qualified for All-Star status.

Farmersville and Tulare Union each send two players while the home team Exeter, sends three. Farmersville coach Brian Archuleta heads up the East squad will Lindsay coach Eric Smith will assist.

Tonight’s game will be played on Exeter’s home field, Exeter Lions Stadium.