Five ’Fish, Four Bees Named To All-Star Team

By Bob Phillips

SOMERSET, NJ – The State of Connecticut will be well represented at the 2017 All-Star Game to be held on Wednesday as five members of the Bridgeport Bluefish and four members of the New Britain Bees have been selected to represent the Liberty Division.

Bridgeport’s representatives are infielder Luis Hernandez, outfielder D’Arby Myers, and pitchers Rainy Lara, David Carpenter, and Cory Riordan will represent the Bluefish on the Liberty Division team.

“We’re very happy for these five players and honored to have them represent the Bluefish and the Liberty Division during the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game,” said Bluefish manager Luis Rodriguez. “They have all contributed greatly to our team during the first half and are very deserving of this honor.”

Hernandez, now in his second season in the Park City, is currently batting .276 with two home runs, 19 RBI, 31 runs scored, and five stolen bases.

Myers, in his first season with the ‘Fish and second in the Atlantic League, is hitting .341—second in the league—with two dingers, 22 RBIs, 40 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 61 games.

Lara has had an impressive first half on the mound during his first season in Bridgeport. After 12 starts, he owns a 2.86 ERA with seven victories (tied for the league lead) and 48 strikeouts in 78.2 innings.

Carpenter, currently in his second season in the Park City, is leading the Atlantic League in saves with 27. The closer owns a sterling 1.34 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 33.2 innings pitched.

Riordan is also having a standout year. He is tied for the league with seven victories. The Killingworth native has struck out a 88 batters in 93.0 innings, with two complete games

Four Bees Honored

Meanwhile, four members of the New Britain Bees—Nate Roe, Michael Crouse, Connor Bierfeldt and Jovan Rosa—have been named to the Liberty Division team.

This will be the first Atlantic League All Star Game for pitcher Nate Roe. After leading the Bees bullpen in ERA this season, the New Jersey native earned the nod to represent the Bees pitching staff in this year’s game.

“It’s an honor to be elected,” said Roe. “The Atlantic League has a lot of prestigious players—some of whom have been in the big leagues—so to even be in the same line as them is such an honor.”

Roe is having one of the best seasons, with the lowest ERA and WHIP of five-year professional career. With this year’s All Star Game being played in Somerset, the Plainfield, New Jersey native will be able to return home and pitch in front of his hometown crowd. For Roe, being able to play in front of his friends and family in his first All-Star Game will take on an extra special meaning.

“It’s going to be special,” said Roe. “The day after the game is the three-year anniversary of my father’s death, so there’s a lot of emotion.

“Words can’t describe how special it is,” continued the Plainfield, NJ native. “I feel like the stars aligned because It’s going to be 15 minutes away from my house. I grew up going to Patriots games, and I even went to college 15 minutes away from there too. So everything is right there and it’s going to nice to be there around friends and family.”

 Joining Roe will be outfield Michael Crouse, who is hitting .264 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs. Crouse’s six triples leads the Atlantic League in that category, and his 71 hits ranks second on the team. He has also stolen 20 bases while being caught just eight times. Along with Crouse’s strong season at the plate, he has dazzled fans with his play in the field. Crouse’s defense has even landed him on ESPN with a phenomenal catch against the Lancaster Barnstormers.

Outfielder Conor Bierfeldt will represent the Bees. In his first season with the Bees, Bierfeldt is hitting .274 with 13 home runs, and 39 RBIs—leading the team in those last two categories. This will be the second All-Star selection for the former Baltimore Orioles prospect. He was selected to play in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 2015. Along with Crouse, Bierfeldt will represent the Bees in this year’s Home Run Derby. Bierfeldt is currently tied for fifth in the Atlantic League in home runs this season.

Jovan Rosa will also represent the Bees, becoming the first player in Bees history to represent the Bees twice in the All-Star Game.

“It’s an honor to be selected,” said Rosa. “I’ve worked hard in the offseason and throughout the season. It’s an honor to see that people are recognizing the fact that I’m putting in the work and trying to get better every day.”

While he’s honored to play in the prestigious game, Rosa keeps things in perspective.

“It’s exciting but at the same time, it’s an individual achievement,” he continued. “I’m honored and I enjoy it, but I really just care about getting to the playoffs”.

Last season, Rosa became the third player in Atlantic League history to play all 140 games. He has continued that streak into this season and has played in 216 consecutive games for the Bees heading into the All-Star Break.

The Liberty Division squad will be managed by Somerset skipper Brett Jodie. To see the full Atlantic League All-Star roster, CLICK HERE.

All-Star festivities will begin at the ballpark at 5 p.m., with the game scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The event is presented by RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and will feature the biggest fireworks show in ballpark history, commemorative giveaways for all ages, entertainment form the ZOOperstars and Birdzerk, and a Home Run Derby before the game. Tickets are available at www.somersetpatriots.com, at the TD Bank Ballpark box office, or by calling (908) 252-0700.

—with staff reports