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High school baseball stars selected to 34th Rotary All-Star Game
Cooper Pacheco
The Modesto Sunrise Rotary All-Star baseball game on Saturday will include a number of local standout players, including Turlock’s Cooper Pacheco (CANDY PADILLA/The Journal).

The Modesto Sunrise Rotary All-Star Game is back for its 34th year on Saturday to showcase the best baseball talent that high schools across Stanislaus County have to offer. After the venue changed from Stanislaus State in Turlock to John Thurman Field in Modesto last year, more significant changes have taken place.

Ben Vilhauer
The Modesto Sunrise Rotary All-Star baseball game on Saturday will include a number of local standout players, including Pitman ace Ben Vilhauer (CANDY PADILLA/The Journal).

For one, the former home of the Modesto Nuts — now occupied by an independent, PBL expansion club, the Modesto Roadsters — has been renamed from John Thurman Field to Modern Woodmen Field. Secondly, the stadium itself has been repainted with the new team’s primary colors — neon diner blue and candy apple red. As for the game itself, first pitch is now slated for 6:35 p.m., offering the prep stars the unique opportunity to play under the lights of a professional stadium.

As of Tuesday night, there were 47 players from 20 area schools slated to participate in the annual exhibition. Of the current field (participants are subject to change without notice as late as game day) are 12 players from the Journal coverage area.

No team will be more represented than Turlock High, this year’s Central California Athletic League champion. The Bulldogs will be sending seniors Cooper Pacheco, Adam Torres and Owen McCord, as well as juniors Mason Hackler and Aiden De Los Santos to Saturday’s showcase game. All will be playing for Team Blue, managed by Modesto Christian’s Todd Davis.

Team Gold will feature a stable of players from Pitman High. Representing the Pride will be seniors Ben Vilhauer, Nolan Walker and Jackson Way, along with junior Cole Kelley. They will be joined by Turlock Christian senior Michael Miller, Denair junior Noah Lundquist, and Hughson senior Isaac Lupercio.

The gold team will be managed by Bill York, skipper of this year’s D-7 section champion Turlock Christian. His All-Star staff features TC assistants Gregg Kelley and Julian Espinoza, as well as Hughson’s Nick Espinoza.

There will be opportunities to win prizes throughout the game, including an autographed baseball from star San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb.

Stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, while those under 12 can enter for free. Parking will also be free.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online at https://events.modestosunriserotary.org/34-baseball-classic and pn gameday at the gate.