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TRIO OF X’S SET TO REPRESENT EXPLORERS IN 2016 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ALL-STAR GAME

SAMSON, WORT AND OVERTON NAMED TO AMERICAN ASSOCIATION ALL-STAR TEAM

Sioux City, IA- The American Association of Professional Baseball has announced the 2016 American Association All-Star Teams.  Sioux City Explorers shortstop Nate Samson has been named the starting shortstop and relief pitchers Rob Wort and Connor Overton were also selected to represent the Sioux City Explorers in the game set for August 2^nd at CHS Field in St. Paul, MN.  X’s Field Manager, Steve Montgomery will guide the North All-Stars and joining Steve on the coaching staff will be X’s pitching coach Bobby Post, X’s hitting coach Matt Passerelle and St. Paul Saints Field Manager, George Tsamis.

Nate Samson originally signed with the Explorers in April of 2014 before getting his contract purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks, spending the rest of the season with the Double-A Mobile Bay Bears. Samson spent last season in the Dodgers organization after he was selected in the Rule 5 Minor League Draft from the Diamondbacks and finished the season playing for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers. The Oscala, FL native is currently leading the American Association in batting average (.369) and on-base percentage (.447), and is second in the league in hits (79) and doubles (21). 

Rob Wort is currently in his third stint with the Sioux City Explorers after being purchased by MLB organizations on two different occasions. Wort had his contract purchased on August 12, 2014 by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and at the end of the 2015 season, the Boston Red Sox organization purchased the right-handers contract.  After being released by the Red Sox earlier this season, Wort returned to Sioux City to begin his 2016 AA campaign. In 13 games with the Explorers this season, Wort has posted a 0.76 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched. 

Connor Overton is in his first season with the Sioux City Explorers. He was originally drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 15th round of the 2014 June Amateur Draft from Old Dominion University. He would spend a year and a half in the Marlins organization playing for their affiliates in Batavia, NY and Greensboro, NC. Overton would finish the 2015 season pitching in the Washington Nationals organization making 13 appearances after signing mid-season, finishing the year pitching for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, picking up a win out of the bullpen.  In 22 games with the Explorers this season, the right-hander has posted a 0.97 earned run average with a 4-0 record, eight saves, and 34 strikeouts in 27.2 innings pitched. 

The South All-Star Team will face the North All-Star Team in the August 2 game (7:05 PM) at CHS Field, home of the St. Paul Saints. The Saints will host the Heartland Chevy Home Run Derby at 8:00 PM on Monday August 1^st at CHS Field. 

The South All-Star team is composed of the four members of the American Association’s South division — the Joplin Blasters, Laredo Lemurs, Texas AirHogs and Wichita Wingnuts. The South All-Star team will also include representatives from the six-team Can-Am League. The Can-Am League is composed of the New Jersey Jackals, Ottawa Champions, Quebec Capitales, Rockland Boulders, Sussex County Miners and Trois-Rivieres Aigles.

The North All-Star team is composed of the eight members of the American Association’s North and Central divisions-St. Paul Saints, Winnipeg Goldeyes, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Sioux Falls Canaries, and Lincoln Saltdogs, Gary SouthShore Railcats, Sioux City Explorers and Kansas City T-Bones. 

For 2016 ticket information to Mercy Field at Lewis and Clark Park, call (712) 277-WINS or visit the X’s website at www.xsbaseball.com

For complete list of 2016 American Association All-Star selections, please visit: www.americanassociationbaseball.com