MOBILE, Ala. – A pair of former University of South Alabama baseball standouts were selected to compete in the New York-Penn All-Star Game Tue., Aug. 16, at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, N.Y.

Left-handed pitcher Locke St. John will represent the Connecticut Tigers (Detroit Tigers) on the North All-Star squad, while outfielder Cole Billingsley will play for the South All-Stars as a representative of the Aberdeen IronBirds (Baltimore Orioles).

St. John (3-6) has recorded a 2.81 ERA in 10 starts, and has struck out 45 batters against 16 walks in 57 2/3 innings pitched this season. The southpaw allowed just three earned runs in his first five starts of the season, which spanned 28 2/3 innings, while striking out 23 batters and issuing eight walks.

Billingsley is batting .279 with three doubles, one triple, three home runs, 11 RBI, 16 runs scored and five stolen bases in 34 games. 

"It is definitely an honor and privilege to represent Aberdeen, the Orioles organization and the New York-Penn League," Billingsley said. "It has been a transition going from playing college baseball to pro ball, but I definitely like it. It's an honor to be selected and play in the All-Star game, and I am very blessed to be chosen."

Billingsley has hit safely in 20 of 34 contests this season, including seven of his first eight professional games. He has also recorded four assists and combined for two doubles plays while posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

"You have to have a mental toughness and mindset to be the same guy when you show up to the park each day," he said. "You go from playing three or four days a week in college to everyday up here, so you have to have that mindset of just playing the game the right way; I give a lot of credit to (USA head) Coach (Mark) Calvi and the coaching staff for instilling a mindset in me to be the same guy whether things are going good or bad. You just have to continue to play the game the right way, and it will come back around to you. You have to keep working and keep making adjustments – that's what it's all about."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).