High school baseball standouts will showcase their skills in Merced County All-Star Game

Shawn Jansen
·2 min read

The best high school baseball players will showcase their skills at the Merced County All-Star Game on Saturday night at Merced College.

Fifteen Merced County high school teams and Sonora High School will be represented as the North faces the South.

The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing all the guys I played against in league and getting to know them better and play baseball with them,” said Golden Valley junior Koen Heupel, who was selected as the Central California Conference MVP.

The North is comprised of players from Atwater, Buhach Colony, Livingston, Los Banos, Pacheco, Gustine, Delhi and Hilmar and will be coached by Livingston coach Pat Fuentes.

The South team will feature players from Golden Valley, Merced, El Capitan, Dos Palos, Le Grand, Mariposa, Stone Ridge Christian and Sonora and will be coached by El Capitan coach Aaron Ruiz.

Ruiz has coached in this all-star game multiple times.

“I really enjoy the guys coming together and what this game represents,” Ruiz said. “It’s a chance for the local all-stars to show off and it’s great to get to know the kids a little bit better.”

Ruiz says he’s looking forward to seeing players from Dos Palos after the Broncos put together a 25-3 season and fell short in the Central Section Division III championship game to Kingsburg.

Dos Palos High School senior pitcher Isac Mandujano delivers a pitch during the Central Section Division III semifinal playoff game against Dinuba on Tuesday, May, 23, 2023 at Dos Palos High School.
Dos Palos High School senior pitcher Isac Mandujano delivers a pitch during the Central Section Division III semifinal playoff game against Dinuba on Tuesday, May, 23, 2023 at Dos Palos High School.

Dos Palos was led by senior Isac Mandujano, who finished third in the state with 10 home runs, second in the state with 50 RBIs and third in California with 52 runs scored and with a .563 batting average.

Mandujano also went 7-0 with a 1.12 ERA this season on the mound. Meanwhile, his catcher Peyton Van Worth hit .550 and finished tied for the state lead with 55 runs scored.

Heupel hit .436 this season with 27 runs scored and finished fourth in the state with 44 stolen bases.

This will be the third time Heupel has participated in this all-star game.

“It’s a blast to be able to talk baseball with the rest of these guys,” he said. “You can’t ask for anything more.”

El Capitan High School junior Juan Munoz (16) smiles as he rounds third base in front of Gauchos coach Aaron Ruiz after Munoz hit a two-run homer during a playoff game against Bear Creek on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at El Capitan High School.
El Capitan High School junior Juan Munoz (16) smiles as he rounds third base in front of Gauchos coach Aaron Ruiz after Munoz hit a two-run homer during a playoff game against Bear Creek on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at El Capitan High School.

For Ruiz, it’s another opportunity to coach his El Capitan players after the Gauchos enjoyed a special season that included a Central California Conference championship. The Gauchos will be represented with seven all-stars.

“It’s amazing,” Ruiz said. “For the seniors, it’s the last time coaching them and being in the dugout with them. It’s a good way to see them play one more game.”

A collection of Merced County players will be selected from this game to play a group of all-stars from Stanislaus County on Saturday, June 17 at Merced College.