July 13, 2007

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois infielder Dominic Altobelli (Oak Forest, Ill.) and pitchers Ben Reeser (Bloomington, Ill.) and Aaron Martin (Georgetown, Ill.) were named to the Coastal Plain League American All-Star team for the CPL All-Star game, which will be played on July 17. The game features "American" and "National" squads made up of players from the league's three divisions. The Illini trio led the Fayetteville Swampdogs to a 23-5 record in the season's first half and a 30-5 mark overall.

Reeser and Martin both have baffled hitters across the CPL this summer as they currently are among the ERA leaders for starting pitchers in the league. Martin is 5-0 with a 0.83 ERA, including two complete games and a shutout in 43 1/3 innings. He's allowed eight runs - four earned - on 25 hits with 19 walks and 26 strikeouts while limiting opponents to a .164 batting average. Reeser is 5-0 with a 0.94 ERA and a complete-game shutout. He's tossed 38 1/3 innings, allowing six runs - four earned - on 31 hits and just six walks while striking out 20 for a .228 opponent batting average.

Altobelli has had an impressive summer, hitting .297 in 111 at bats and posting the second-most hits (33) and third-most RBI (18) on the team. He has five doubles, a triple and a home run for a .387 slugging percentage and has stolen 9-of-13 bases. On the season, he's started 28 games and played in 31.

The trio increases the number of Illini named to All-Star teams in summer leagues to five after Scott Shaw and Joe Bonadonna were named to the Northwoods League All-Star teams last week.