GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Summer has not stopped the individual honors from coming in for University of North Dakota first baseman Jake Magner as he was named an All-Star earlier this week for his accomplishments playing for the Edenton Steamers in the Coastal Plain League. Magner, who is tied for second in the CPL with eight round-trippers, was selected to play for the American Team in what will be the league's 11th annual All-Star Game on July 21 in Wilmington, N.C.
“Jake has represented our baseball program in a number of ways by his strong play in the Coastal Plain League,” UND head coach Jeff Dodson said. “Jake was very deserving of the opportunity because of the season he had for us and hopefully he has opened the door for more of our guys to experience the same thing in future summers. I'm glad Edenton gave him the shot and I'm not surprised that he has flourished in his time down there.”
Magner is spending his summer on the Outer Banks of North Carolina playing first base for the Steamers in a league that had three of its alumni play in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14. That trio included Boston's Kevin Youkilis (Florence, 1999), Detroit's Justin Verlander (Wilson, 2002) and Washington's Ryan Zimmerman (Peninsula, 2003).
“It is definitely a huge honor for me to be named an All-Star,” Magner said. “I'm just glad for the opportunity to play every day and show what I can do on the ball field. I'm proud to be representing my team and the University of North Dakota, while I am here in North Carolina.”
An All-Independent team honoree for the Sioux this past season, Magner is batting .297 with 41 hits and a team-best 28 RBI for the Steamers this season. He will also be putting his power stroke on display the night before the all-star game as he will be one of 16 participants trying to launch baseballs out of Legion Stadium in the CPL All-Star Game Home Run Derby.
– Go Sioux –
