Senators put five on All-Star team

The Valley Baseball League recently announced its selections for the annual all-star game to be held July 12 at Central High School in Woodstock.

The Haymarket Senators will send five players to the home of the River Bandits to represent the six northern-most teams, including expected starting third baseman Greg Hopkins.

“I’m not real sure how they do the starters and reserves,” Haymarket coach Ryan Fecteau said, “but I believe he is the starter. He deserves to [start].”

Hopkins, who is second in the league in hitting with a .411 average, will be joined by second baseman Zeth Stone and pitchers Matt Benedict, Grant Sasser and Jack Leathersich.

“I think this speaks highly about the guys we’re getting now,” Fecteau said. “I think this is probably the most [all-stars] Haymarket has had. It’s good and shows we’re moving in the right direction. These are all talented guys.”

“That’s a lot for us,” said Scott Newell, one of Haymarket’s owners. “We’re thrilled that our guys have garnered enough respect from the teams in the league and within our own team.”

Hopkins leads the Senators in almost every offensive category, including hits (39), runs scored (18), RBI (20), slugging percentage (.642) and on-base average (.462). He also has three home runs, leaving him tied for the lead on the club.

“Every team we talked to inquires about Greg,” Newell said. “There was no question that he was going to be on the all-star team. I think the way it sits, he’s the starter and deservedly so.”

Stone is right behind Hopkins in several of those categories, batting .293 and reaching base at a .383 clip. He is tied for the team lead in walks with 11.

Benedict is among the VBL leaders with his 2.10 ERA and opposition batting average at .198. The Western Carolina product has struck out 26 hitters in 25 and two-thirds innings and is 2-1 for the Senators (6-6 Northern Division, 12-12 overall).

Sasser’s .211 OBA is also near the top of the league, just behind Benedict. He is 2-0 on the year and has 21 strikeouts.

“Grant and Matt have been consistent for us all year as starters,” Fecteau said. “They’ve given us quality starts almost every time out. That’s all you can ask for in a wood bat league, to keep it close so you have a shot at the end.”

Out of the bullpen, Leathersich has posted the fourth-best strikeout total in the VBL with 29.

“He’s only pitched 15 innings,” Newell said. “I think all of his earned runs came in one outing. He’s been ridiculous. He gets the job done. When you need a strikeout, he’s the guy.”

“Jack’s been great out of the bullpen,” Fecteau said. “He gives them a different look from the left-side, too.

“They’ve all done well and worked hard to get here,” the coach added. “They all deserve it.”

In addition to the game, there will be a skills competition and a home run derby. The top 10 in the league in homers (including those tied in the top 10) will take part in the derby.

Haymarket’s Andrew Lawrence, Tom La Stella and Hopkins will be among the field in that exhibition.

Each team is asked to submit a pitcher and a position player as automatic all-stars. The coaches each then nominate four other players from their respective teams. Those nominated players are voted on by the rest of the coaches to fill out the 28-player rosters.

All 12 teams are represented by at least one pitcher and two position players. Staunton had the most selections this season, sending seven players. The league’s newest club, Rockbridge, was the only team to send the minimum.

Luray head coach Mike Bocock will lead the North team while Staunton coach Lance Mauck heads the South club.

Newell speculated that because Bocock is coaching the team, a Luray pitcher will likely start on the mound rather than Benedict or Sasser.

Former Haymarket player Joe Conforti won the MVP award in last year’s all-star game.

The VBL will also participate in the first-annual Mid-Atlantic Classic, pitting the VBL All-Stars against the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars July 15 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Md. The game will be broadcast on MASN live in high-definition.

The roster for that game was selected from the VBL All-Star teams. The league will announce the roster Wednesday.

Staff writer Joe Conroy can be reached at 703-878-8047.