The South baseball team has been bolstered by a trio of champions for today’s 26th annual High School All-Star Baseball/Softball Classic at Delta College.

Outfielder Mitch Balmut, pitcher/first baseman Tyler Graves-Kelso and pitcher/outfielder Jake Menasco of Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion Manteca are late additions for the South, which is headed by Ripon High’s Jon Manrique. 

Ronaldo Tijero, the Buffaloes’ leading hitter and center fielder this past season, could have joined his teammates but is instead playing in the Lions All-Star Football Game on Saturday. He’ll continue playing baseball for Butte College next year. Balmut, Graves-Kelso and Tijero are All-Valley Oak League first-team selections.

The South squad is loaded with local products with 17 on the 30-man roster.

Marco Gonzales — the VOL’s Most Valuable Player — is the lone representative for East Union, while Sierra (Anthony Arredondo, Tanner Peterson, Steven Rios), Lathrop (Keenen Donatelli, Albert Flores, Sanitago Kantun) and Ripon (Angelo Baciocco, Nick Price, Travis Waara) have three apiece. Ripon Christian (Michael Cummins, Connor McGovern) and Weston Ranch (Josh Dilg, Jordan Severin) each have two all-stars.

Only four area athletes will participate in the softball game. East Union’s Alejandra Rascon, Weston Ranch’s Elysia Garcia and Karla Calderon and Taylor Jaquez from SJS Division V champion Ripon will all compete for the South.

Festivities will begin with opening ceremonies for the baseball game at 4:45 p.m. followed by softball at 5:15. Cost to enter is $5 for adults, and children 8 and under are free.