Seven local players will join the West team under Pitman High coach John Acha at the Modesto Sunrise Rotary's 26th annual Stanislaus County High School All-Star Baseball Classic set for today.
Pitman's Matt Carrigg, Zach Wichman, Coleton Horner and Darren Finney will join local players Drake Dutra and Coleman Kirkendall of Turlock Christian and Turlock's Brandon Booz in the all-star matchup.
Acha led the Pride to a 24-7 record this season, a Central California Conference title and a deep playoff run that ended in the semifinals.
“The kids had a good time at practice and many knew each other already so it's been exciting to be out there with these guys,” said Acha. “I feel like we have a good pitching staff and plenty of depth at every spot and we should be fine.”
The Pride held a single practice on Wednesday afternoon heading into the weekend showcase, which will be held at California State University, Stanislaus at this year instead of John Thurman Field in Modesto as in previous years.
“It's a cool deal, anytime we have good baseball to be played. We get the opportunity to have some of the local young talent to get checked out,” said Acha. “Some people might not be able to watch Pitman games or Turlock during the season and now they can watch under the lights.”
The Bulldogs also come off another successful season overall and in the CCC, finishing 18-10 overall and 11-4 in league.
Dutra and Kirkendall were the one-two punch as starters for the TC Eagles this past season as the locals turned things around after winning only one league game last year, the Eagles were able to notch four league wins this year.
The all-star game between the West and East is scheduled to take place at 7:05 p.m. today at the Stanislaus State baseball field.
“The East team, they have some of the heavy hitters as far as some schools, but again these are all all-stars and good ball players no matter where they came from regardless of the school,” Acha added. “Also seven of the teams represented by the East made the playoffs if that tells you anything.”
All proceeds go to high school baseball programs.