Making the sky the limit

Meaux, Knoedler go to All-Star Game

June 01, 2002|by BOB PARASILITI

bobp@herald-mail.com

Usually, young baseball players like Ryan Meaux and Justin Knoedler enter the game with stars in their eyes.

Now, they both have all-stars next to their names.

Meaux, Hagerstown's closer, and Knoedler, Hagerstown's starting catcher, received the opportunity to live out a dream on Friday when they were named to the Northern Division team for the South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 18 in Lakewood, N.J.

"This is an honor," Meaux said. "I plan on going to have fun and enjoy it. I want to take it all in. This could be the last one I ever make or the first of a long stretch for me."

Meaux and Knoedler were selected to the team as reserves. Voters only picked the starting pitcher, leaving the rest of the pitching staff to be selected by manager J.J. Cannon and the league. Knoedler was one of two catchers selected to back up starter Ben Margalski of Lakewood.

"I'm surprised," Knoedler said during a rain delay in Friday's game with Lexington. "My numbers aren't that great because this is my first year back catching after being a pitcher last year. I didn't know how I was selected to the team but either way, I just want to go and represent my team."

Friday's game between the Suns and the Legends was suspended in a 3-3 tie with two outs in the top of the seventh after a two-hour rain delay. The game will be completed today at 7:05 p.m., followed by a seven-inning game.

Meaux carved out his spot on his team by carving out a spot as the Suns closer.

"There was nothing set for me when I came here," Meaux said. "I just wanted to come in here and do what they expected of me."

The Suns tried a couple of pitchers before coming to Meaux. The left-hander, who started the season as the only lefty in Hagerstown's bullpen, leads the Northern Division with nine saves, including five in his last six outings. He is 1-1 with a 2.59 ERA in 23 appearances along with five walks and 21 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings.

Knoedler has been behind the plate the majority of the time for the Suns while trying to transform back into a catcher after spending his first professional season pitching. He is hitting .234 with three home runs and eight RBI, but has played strong defensively.

"I'm still working the cobwebs out," Knoedler said. "Numberswise, I started well but I've been in a funk lately. I guess I've shown some talent and skill behind the plate, but it's a surprise."

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