BUY TICKETS
By Peyton Butt
Its official, All Star week is upon us here at The Lex. We are just one day away from the All Star fan fest with the All Star game following the next day. Five players will represent the Lexington County, the Blowfish and the west division this week.
Daryian Pendergrass has stolen the show and many bases in his first year as a Blowfish. Pendergrass, a junior outfielder for the College of Charleston, leads the Coastal Plain League in stolen bases.
“It’s an amazing feeling, I believe each and every one of us deserves this opportunity. I know Ouzts is a second time All Star but it’s an amazing feeling for the freshman and my first time ever playing summer ball,” Pendergrass said.
Senior utility player for Presbyterian College, Ryan Ouzts, has proven to fans the versatility he has as a player. Ouzts was named a CPL All Star last summer as a outfielder and this summer as the starting catcher.
“It’s kind of normal, I mean I was expecting it but it’s an honor that I get to be in the All Star game for the second time in a year with two different positions,” Ouzts said. “I’m ready for all the fans, family and friends to come out and support all of our guys and hopefully they see what a beautiful park we have.”
Recent Batesburg-Leesville graduate Cade Bouknight is making a name for himself as the youngest player in the CPL All Star game. Through the season, Bouknight has not let his age stop him from playing with college athletes.
Batesburg-Leesville fans have shown out this season with support for their rising USC Aiken pitcher and the All Star game will be no exception.
“It’s pretty cool just coming out here just to compete and it turned into all this. I was just here to make my pitches work and they’ve been working,” Bouknight said. “It’s going to be very crowded here with Batesburg-Leesville people and I can’t wait to show out for them.”
Clemson infielder Cooper Blauser has meshed well with the rest of the Blowfish players since his late arrival. In his shortened time as a Blowfish, Blauser has wasted no time helping the Blowfish to victory both in the field and at the plate.
“It’s an honor, it’s been a grind all summer so it’s good to have some reward for all the hard work we’ve been putting in. I’m excited to get out here for the fans,” Blauser said. “We’ve had some great crowds all year and I’m excited to see how we pack it out.”
Lexington native Zach Cowart got a last minute opportunity to represent his hometown team at the All Star game. Cowart, who completed his freshman year at North Greenville University, has been a valuable addition to the Blowfish infield this summer.
“I’m definitely blessed for the opportunity. I didn’t think I was going to come in here and be an All Star off the rip but I kind of got lucky, I got to replace somebody that got selected in the draft so it’s pretty cool,” Cowart said. “I’m excited to represent my hometown, it should be a pretty fun experience.”
Tickets are available for both the fan fest and All Star game at GoBlowfish.com
