After a successful first half of the season, the CCL’s version of the midsummer classic is upcoming, and six Stompers will represent the wine country down in Compton, California. Chosen by the conference, the middle infield pair of second baseman Alijah Ramos and shortstop Trent Abel earned All Star bids. Pitchers Dylan Goff, Destin Allen-Fox, Bryant Thornton also captured the honor. Hawk Hill was named a reserve All Star for his first half performance.
These six Stompers will represent Sonoma in the CCL Showcase Game. Stompers Manager Zack Pace brought his team together and announced the All Stars this past week, saying the showcase “[is] just about going to have fun and show off their skills.” This game will take place on Wednesday, July 17th in Compton. For those interested, the showcase will be broadcasted on the Bally Sport Networks. Follow Stompers social media as well for our coverage of the events.
Ramos, the Cal State Fullerton sophomore, has a team leading .320 batting average, a big part of his summer campaign. The middle infielder has been a consistent force at the plate for the Stompers all season, leading the team in hits (24), on base percentage (.459), and runs batted in (11). Ramos has also been contributing defensively and on the base paths, playing a solid second base and swiping six bags.
Ramos’ partner in the infield, Trent Abel, gets the All Star honor as well. Abel has been excellent in the field, playing 203 innings at shortstop, having a fielding percentage of .974. His .251 batting average and ten RBIs also demonstrate his strong ability at the plate. The Cal State Northridge product has been swinging a hot bat of late, with five hits and three RBIs in his last four games.
Sonoma has had strong pitching throughout the season, leading the CCL North in ERA. So, it’s only right that the Stomps have four pitchers named to the Showcase. Reliever Dylan Goff is one of those pitchers. In seven appearances, Goff has thrown 14 innings, with 20 strikeouts and only two walks, and the righty sports a 1.29 ERA. The dominant reliever is also a part of the Cal State Fullerton Titan squad and joins his teammate Ramos as a CCL all star.
Destin Allen-Fox also earned the honor, starting six league games for the Stompers. His 35 strikeouts leads the team, tied for first in the CCL North. He has filled up the zone, as he has only walked 11 in 21.2 innings pitched. The lefty, another Cal State Northridge player, hopes to carry this into the second half of the season as Sonoma makes their CCL playoff push.
Bryant Thornton joins the pitching crew to be sent to Compton. His 2.76 ERA in 16.1 innings pitched has made him a reliable option to start and relieve games. He has 18 strikeouts and has settled into a consistent role in the Sonoma rotation. Thornton attends Oklahoma Baptist University, and the righty is heading into his senior season there.
Lastly, another Stomper pitcher, Hawk Hill got the nod. The Cumberland University hurler has been with the Stomps for three straight summers now, and has both started and relieved this season for Sonoma. He has only given up just one run in 15 innings pitched. The righty has 14 strikeouts on the season, and forces a lot of weak contact.
The Stompers players will look to carry on what outfielder Noah Rabin did last year by winning the Showcase MVP. The festivities will also have a homerun derby event that Sonoma infielder Tyler Holley will participate in. Holley is known for his strength and ability to hit long bombs, so hopefully the Cal State Fullerton product can create some fireworks down in Compton. These events will also act as a break from games, as the Stompers will have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off, returning to action on Thursday the 18th.