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Trump will be part of pre-game hoopla, including throwing out a ceremonial first pitch. Eric Ackerman, Judd Songster, Michael Woods, Danny Gonzalez and Lloyd Turner are the Lancaster players selected for the game.
It will be the fourth All-Star game Barnstormers players have participated in since the organization joined the league in 2005. Last season, Lancaster hosted the contest.
Following is a look at the Barnstormers who are part of the Freedom Division team, along with comments by their manager, Von Hayes.
MIKE WOODS: Woods, an outfielder who played second base for Lancaster last season, is the Barnstormers lone starter in the All-Star game. He started off the season with a 17-game hitting streak and has also had a 10-game streak this year. The 'Stormers fastest player, he leads the league with 21 stolen bases. He has played in 74 of the 'Stormers 76 games and has played every inning in the last 46 games. He leads the active 'Stormers with a .291 average and has 17 doubles, is tied for the league lead with five triples, and also has six home runs.
Hayes Says: "He's been solid. He's been durable for us. When he makes contact he usually hits it pretty hard. As far as success with stolen bases, Mike's done very well with that. I feel very confident I can put him on his own and he'll make good decisions."
DANNY GONZALEZ: A switch-hitter, many consider Gonzalez the best shortstop in the league. He has played parts of the last four seasons with Lancaster and was the starting all-star shortstop last season. A defensive standout, he went 28 straight games this season without an error. He has played every inning this season, and is batting .287 with 17 doubles, two triples, nine homers and 44 RBIs. He has also walked 43 times. Since being moved to the No. 3 spot in the lineup on May 24 he has eight homers and 35 RBIs. He had a game-ending homer vs. Long Island on May 29.
Hayes says: "His defense has been solid. That's been consistent, and his offense, being a switch-hitter and everything, really helps him a lot. He'll give you good at-bats, work the pitcher, deep counts. He's been a solid guy in this lineup throughout the year, and he certainly deserves to be on the all-star team."
LLOYD TURNER: Expected to be a utility player, Turner has played in 66 games. Pressed into action because of injuries and players signing with affiliated teams, Turner has played second base, third base and right field. He is batting .287 and is tied with Woods for the league lead in triples (5). He also has nine doubles, six homers and 25 RBIs. He hit .359 (33-for-92) for June and his on-base percentage for that month was .436. This is Turner's first season with the 'Stormers, but he has played previously for Hayes.Hayes says: "He's somebody who came in here expected to fill in different roles, pretty much anywhere on the field to give people a rest. I knew he'd get quite a few at-bats but not on an everyday basis. He's played his way into pretty much being an everyday-type of player."
JUDD SONGSTER: A right-handed reliever, Songster has been stellar out of the bullpen. He was in camp with the Camden Riversharks and joined the 'Stormers after spring training. In 32 games (37 innings), he is 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA and two saves. He has not given up an earned run in his last 20 games (24.1 innings), and he has not allowed any runs in his the last 14 games (18.1 innings). Songster was added to the team after teammate Ryan Cullen was removed from the roster because of injury.
Hayes Says: "Once he got into his pitching shape, he's been as good as anybody in this league. He's come in and been solid right out of the gate. His control, his fastball's been real good, and that split-finger's been tough. He throws quality pitches to get ahead, and he's got his split-finger, which is really hard to pick up."
ERIC ACKERMAN: A left-handed pitcher in his third year with Lancaster, this season Ackerman made the change from reliever to starter. Ackerman has a 3-6 record with a 5.04 ERA and he also has a save. He has made 14 starts for the Barnstormers and seven have been quality starts. In 84 innings, he has struck out 52 and walked 24.
Hayes Says: "Eric's made a pretty darn good transition from reliever to starter. He's had quite a few good quality starts for us in this first half. I think he's been taking a little bit off his breaking ball that's been adding to his fast ball. He's just learning how to pitch as a starter and he's been successful.
Following is a list of Barnstormers players on previous All-Star teams.
2005 — In Atlantic City: Ryan Minor, Lance Burkhart, Domingo Acosta, Cliff Smith and Norm Hutchins (competed as a Barnstormer even though he had been recently traded).
2006 — In Bridgeport: Lance Burkhart and Denny Harriger played in the game. Reggie Taylor, Quincy Foster, Jose Ortiz and Matt Knox were chosen but did not participate.
(1097) (737) (480) (395) (153) (152) (126) (119) (114) (98) (85) (80) (70) (67) (61) (59) (55) (50) (48) (46) (34) (17) (14) (9) (9) (5) (3) (3) (3) (2) (2)2007 — In Lancaster: Starting were Lance Burkhart, Jeremy Todd (who won the home run derby), Danny Gonzalez, Jutt Hileman and Josh Stevens. Steve Van Note and Dominick Ambrosini also participated. Derrick DePriest was chosen but did not get in the game.
E-mail: bwilson@lnpnews.com
