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LETS PLAY 2!
15 area players selected to play in Baseball-Softball Classic at UOP
BASE-SOFT All-Star Classic Jacinto file 2
Jordan Vinson led area players with 39 RBIs while helping East Union capture a share of the Valley Oak League championship. - photo by JONAMAR JACINTO/Bulletin file photo

Fifteen recent graduates from area schools have been invited to play in the 24th annual High School All-Star Baseball-Softball Classic later this week.

The event takes place Friday at the University of the Pacific. Opening ceremonies for the baseball game begins 5:45 p.m. at Klein Family Field, with softball to follow about a half hour later at Bill Simoni Field.

Two notable players will not be taking part. Manteca High standout Jacob Corn is playing summer ball before heading out to the University of Oregon, while Allie Walljasper of Sierra is already at LSU taking summer classes. They are the Valley Oak League’s reigning MVPs for baseball and softball.

The baseball contest will still feature players from Manteca’s Sac-Joaquin Section championship team: All-VOL first-team selections Michael Garibay, William Reeder and Lucas Vaughn. Vaughn was the winning pitcher in the SJS Division IV final and the section’s leader with a 12-0 record. Reeder was the batterymate for Manteca’s outstanding pitching duo as well as the team’s top hitter. Garibay played shortstop and hit from the top of the Buffaloes’ order.

Joining them on the South team is the Sierra trio of Dakota Conners, Kyle Oden and Jake Pruitt, who led the Timberwolves to a runner-up finish in the VOL and a semifinal appearance in the SJS playoffs. Pruitt was named VOL Offensive Player of the Year with the Cal State East Bay bound shortstop Conners and right fielder/pitcher Oden joining him on the all-league first team.

Carlos Estrada and Charles Garcia are representing Lathrop on the South team, as is Weston Ranch’s Cody Simerley.

East Union standout third baseman Jordan Vinson is competing for the South softball team. She helped lead the Lancers to a share of the VOL title and a trip to the SJS Division IV finals. Teaming up with Vinson on the South squad are former league rivals and four-year varsity pitchers Peyton Rose (Manteca) and Arianna Hernandez (Weston Ranch).

Trans-Valley League Pitcher of the Year Mackenzie Gauden, Tiana Chacon and Taylor Vernon further bolster the South. They were key players on Ripon’s TVL championship team.

Also, East Union’s Brian Goulart and Ripon’s Robert Vernon are coaches for the South along with Greg Smith of Tracy.

Advance tickets are available to purchase through local high school baseball and softball programs. Admission at the gate is $5, while children 8 and under are free. Proceeds from the game benefit participating high schools, Recreational Sports Club of San Joaquin and United Way of San Joaquin County.