Three Area Players Selected to SBL All Star Game
7/11/2008 12:38:09 AM
Register today to print this article
Story by Mike Finnerty - (photos by Bob Stoddard)
Historic Tony Zupo Field in Lodi, California will play host to the Sierra Baseball League’s inaugural All Star game set for this Saturday, and the California Cobras (Carmichael) will have three local players participating in this year’s game.
Luke Gadow, from Pollock Pines (American River College), will start at second base for the North squad. Gadow will be joined on the team by Cobras teammates Chris Garcia of Roseville (Sacramento City College), and Mark Leacox of Sacramento (American River College). Garcia is a right handed pitcher, and Leacox is a utility infielder who also plays third base for the Cobras. In addition to the three players, the Cobras will also be represented on the All Star coaching staff by Coach Tony Vargas.
Gadow has been a solid middle infielder for the Cobras this summer season, and is one of the leading hitters on the Cobras’ 50-man squad with his .348 batting average and team-leading 19 RBI (through July 6). Said Cobras Manager Mike Breining, “Luke is a quiet and hard worker, who gets the job done.”
The team’s pitching representative, Garcia, has done a tremendous job this season with an ERA of 2.98 while striking out 39 batters in 48 innings pitched. In Garcia’s most recent outing at a three game series this last 4th of July weekend (actually held on July 5 and July 6th), the Cobras won 2 of 3 from the host Clovis Outlaws. Garcia started the first game of the series and allowed only three hits and one run in eight innings, after which Andrew LeDuc closed the game in the 9th and the Cobras won that game 5-2.
“Chris is a good guy,” said Breining. “One of the hardest working and focused pitchers on the Cobras' squad, and he's a great team player who is respected by his teammates.”
Leacox has pulled double-duty at third base and in the outfield for the Cobras this season. Also, as a switch-hitter, Leacox has one been one of the most productive guys on offense hitting .354, with 11 runs scored, nine RBI with nine stolen bases. “Mark is a respected leader of the team,” said Breining.
Vargas, from Roseville, has coached baseball since 1980, including for Roseville Little League, Roseville High School, and for the past five years Vargas has been a coach on the Granite Bay High School varsity staff.
The SBL is made up of teams from California, Oregon and Nevada, and the All-Star game will feature the North Squad (Medford River Dogs, Redding Colt 45s, CALIFORNIA COBRAS, Folsom Pioneers, Lodi Grape Sox and Stockton Glory) vs. the South Squad (Clovis Outlaws, East LA Dodgers, San Luis Obispo Blues, Santa Maria Packers, Nor-Cal Longhorns and San Jose Seals).
The game will start at 7:05 pm and the game can be heard live on national radio via Teamline.
Leacox, an El Camino High grad, has played a solid third base for the Cobras this summer
|
Garcia (Roseville) of Sacramento City College is one of the pitchers on the North squad
|
Gadow of Pollock Pines (American River College) will start at second base for the North
|
|