Lalli To Start In Southern League All-Star Game
July 02, 2009 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Former Gardner-Webb slugger Blake Lalli,
now playing for the Chicago Cubs' AA affiliate, has been penciled
in as a starter for the North in the 2009 Southern League All-Star
Game.
Lalli (Gibsonia, Pa. / Pine-Richland HS) has continued to swing a
strong bat for the Tennessee Smokies this season, spending the
majority of his time at first base. The former GWU star spent part
of last season in Tennessee, after helping Class A Daytona to the
Florida State League championship.
Lalli, who can catch, play first base or third base, will start at
first base for the North Division all-stars. The North will battle
the South Division on January 13 in Birmingham. The versatile Lalli
has also seen time on the mound during his pro career, posting an
0.00 ERA in relief last season in Daytona.
So far this season, Lalli is batting .301 with 12 doubles, three
home runs and 20 RBI in 67 games played. He has scored 23 runs and
has a solid .358 on base percentage with only 20 strikeouts in 196
at bats.
Lalli played at Gardner-Webb from 2002-2006, and finished his
career as the program's career leader in games started (227), at
bats (853), hits (290) and doubles (70). Lalli batted .340 for his
career with the Bulldogs, and led all of NCAA Division I with 30
doubles during the 2005 season – which established a new GWU
single-season record as well.
Lalli is one of six Smokies named to the All-Star team, along with
Jim Adduci, Casey Coleman, Jay Jackson and Brian Schlitter. Former
Oregan State star Darwin Barney was also selected, but was recently
promoted to AAA Iowa and will not participate.
Lalli went 1-for-3 with a walk in the Smokies' July 1 game against
the Huntsville Stars.
