City/County All-Star baseball game has plenty of meaning. Here’s what some players said
Many high school players wore their baseball jerseys for the last time at Chukchansi Park Sunday night.
It was the annual City/County All-Star game, played in front of hundreds of fans where the City won 8-3.
It was all about the players, as it should be.
One final time.
The Bee spoke to four players and got their thoughts on playing the prestigious game before moving on to the next phase of their career.
Jerod “Bubba” Smith of County put his stamp at Fowler High, whether it is football or baseball. He helped the Redcats to wins, including a Central Section Division III baseball title.
“I’m on a big stage with a lot of big guys and a lot of commits,” said Smith, who plans to play football and baseball at College of the Sequoias. “A lot of talent on the field. It means a lot personally.”
Then there is Madera High pitcher Joel Arrellano, also on the County roster.
He received a big applause when he was introduced during the announcement of the rosters. He is headed to Fresno State next season.
“I’ve been coming and watching my former teammates play in this game,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to play here someday, and finally made it here with three of my best friends. It’s a great feeling.”
He identified his Madera teammates Mark Huarte, Trevor Teran and Aden Lechuga.
Over at the City side, Asa Medina represented Hoover, along with Lashawn Carey, and hopes more Patriots players get selected in the future after a 19-9 season.
“Not a lot of people out of Hoover get selected,” he said. “Being selected, it was kind of a big thing. We have a lot of Hoover alumni coming out to support. It means a lot to be about there, especially after the season we had.”
Edison’s Aiden Becerra is the lone representative for the Tigers on the City side.
He received word on his selection through a text from his coach, Brandon Simon.
“I was a little surprised,” he said. “We still got some good players, but I was confident that I was going to make it, but it’s an amazing feeling.”
Rosters
City
Buchanan: Ethan Myers, Tyler O’Toole, Brennan Johnson, Gianni Di Redo, Parker Heintz, Tyler Gonzales. Bullard: Vincent Robinson, Jack Cooper, Brayden Chiarito, Michael Wilcox. Clovis: Armaandeep Chohan, Drake Davis, Peyton Barsotti, John Kasten. Clovis East: Noah Melendez, Aiden Corkery, Tyus Miller, Preston Gaeta. Clovis North: Brody Skinner, Wyatt Johnson, Wyatt Prieto, Jack West, Chase Fellows, Carson Tatsumura, Zeth Townsend. Clovis West: Matteo Martinez, Micah Raygoza, Reece Van Alen, Nolin Santillan. Edison: Aiden Becerra. Fresno: Noah Martinez. Hoover: Asa Medina, Lashawn Carey. McLane: Eduardo Jimenez. San Joaquin Memorial: Rocco Pavone, Caleb Rico. Sunnyside: Jordan Jaime, Eyzed Parada
County
Caruthers: Mason Ishii. Central: Marcus Nolen, Adan Flores. Chowchilla: Davian Stephenson. Coalinga: Luke Wojewoda, Noah Tasi. Dinuba: Anthony Poma, Matthew Guido. Dos Palos: Sixto Ibarra. Firebaugh: Adrian Delgado. Fowler: Jerod Smith, Jason Lopez, Joshua Haro, Kade Monis. Immanuel: Xzavier Gonzalez. Garza: Luke Trukki. Kerman: Giovani Gastelum, Ayden Olivares. Kingsburg: Eric Garcia, Gavin Eskizian. Liberty-Madera Ranchos: Colton Azevedo, Xaviar Gordon, Daniel Sandate. Madera: Mark Huarte, Aden Lechuga, Joel Arellano, Trevor Teran. Madera South: Victor Palomino. Torres: Amani Sua. Mendota: Paul Ochoa. Reedley: Mason Cisneros. Sanger: Zak Cuellar. Sanger West: Alijah Guzman. Selma: Braden Francis. Sierra: Micah Goodman. Tranquillity: Jacob Torres. Washington Union: Davin Finderup, Trey Morris.
