July 14, 2006

LAS VEGAS - UNLV baseball recently had four players who have already played or have been selected to play in collegiate summer league baseball all-star games.

Zach Borba was named the Co-MVP of the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game while Efren Navarro Jr. and Chris Bonnell played in the Northwoods All Star Game, both played this past Wednesday. Blake Gailen will also play in an all-star game next Tuesday as he will participate in the Coastal Plain League showcase.

Borba earned Co-MVP accolades after going 3-5 at the plate with three stolen bases, a run scored and an RBI in helping the West All Stars tie the East 6-6. It was the first all-star game for the WCCBL, which was played in Wenatchee, Wash., and the game was called after nine innings due to both teams running out of pitchers.

Navarro Jr. and Bonnell both played on the South Division team, which lost 3-2 to the North Division squad in 11 innings at La Crosse, Wisc. Both shared time at first base and Navarro Jr. hit a double in two at bats. Bonnell went hitless in three plate appearances but did participate in the home run contest the night before.

Gailen will be making his second appearance in the CPL All-Star Game and this summer he will be playing in the outfield as he leads the Fayetteville SwampDogs with a .328 batting average. This year's game will be played in J.P. Riddle Stadium in Fayetteville, N. C., the home of the SwampDogs. Last year Gailen participated as a pitcher and the versatile lefty is 2-0 this summer on the mound.

Those four are part of 12 Rebels that are currently playing summer collegiate baseball across the country.