The Coastal Plains League All-Star game was on July 8, and three members of the Lexington County Blowfish participated in the festivities.

Walker Mitchell, CJ Czerwinski and Ashby Vining were all selected to represent the Blowfish during the All-Star events in Forrest City, home of the Owls. Michael Watson was also named an All-Star as a member of the Blowfish in 2024 but did not participate after leaving the team to sign a professional contract with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association.

“It’s an honor, especially my second year in the league,” Vining said. “It’s very rewarding, and I’m just really excited to represent my school, St. Peter’s, in it, too.”

Vining, a Gilbert graduate, has appeared in the most games for the Blowfish this season. He has had a solid year from the plate and behind it.

He is batting .242 with over 60 appearances at the plate. He had two home runs and 11 RBIs at the All-Star break.

“I’m definitely playing a lot better this second half,” Vining said. “When I can get that momentum going, it’s very, very tough for me to look back, and I just want to keep my head forward and keep moving and just doing everything I can to get the Blowfish back to the championship.”

Vining is in his second season with the Blowfish. Since joining the team from St. Peter’s, Vining has been working to develop his catching skills.

“I’ve really just tried to work on staying a little bit more backside on outside pitches,” Vining said. “I’m real big on not missing a pitch if I get it. So, a hanging slider 0-0 or a fastball, middle, middle 0-0, just try not to miss those pitches. Jump on them early and not get behind in counts.”

Vining got two at-bats in the All-Star game on top of playing part of the game as the West team’s catcher. He recorded no hits but did reach base after being hit by a pitch.

Production is not the purpose of All-Star events though. Playing time was more spread out and it was a casual game. Vining said he was more excited for the off-field opportunities, rather than the actual game itself.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the kids, signing some autographs,” Vining said. “It’s always cool to meet new guys from other schools and other areas, especially some guys you play against, and then, you get to kind of meet them on a personal level. It’s really cool.”

Like Vining, Czerwinski is in his second season with the Blowfish. He not only participated in the All-Star game, but he was one of six players selected for the pitching competition.

“Last summer, I thought I’d make it, and I didn’t,” Czerwinski said. “It’s great that my last season, I know I’m going to be an All-Star. So it’s fun to represent Lexington County.”

Czerwinski is a pitcher for the team and comes from James Madison. He has been working on adjusting his mechanics, which he said allowed him to make the All-Star team this go-around.

“Refining my off-speed, changeup was a big pitch for me this past spring. So, refining that has definitely helped me to be very good this summer,” Czerwinski said.

This season, Czerwinski has two starts and seven appearances on the mound. He has an ERA of 1.35 after giving up 20 hits, six runs and eight walks in 26.2 innings pitched.

In the All-Star game, Czerwinski started for the West and played one full inning. He faced four batters, allowing one hit and recording one strikeout.

The final Blowfish to make the game, Mitchell, is in his first year with the organization. He is making the most of his playing time after having a limited role with Coastal Carolina his freshman year.

“It’s really beneficial, not playing much as a freshman, and then coming here and playing every single day, and playing really well, I mean, it just goes to show that you just got to put your mind to whatever you want to do and you can do whatever,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell is an infielder for the team and has appeared in 18 games this season. He is one of the most reliable hitters on the team, batting .358 in 67 plate appearances. At the All-Star game, he went 1-2 with a single shot to right field.

The Lexington native attended River Bluff High School and grew up going to Blowfish games. He said that any kid sitting in the stands can get out there one day, just like him.

“I remember coming to these games when I was a kid, growing up in middle school and elementary school, wanting to be out here,” Mitchell said. “Anybody can do it.”