ROGERS -- Derek Sallee pitched in some big games for Rogers High this past season and the Mounties rising senior will be in the spotlight next month after being selected to play in the 11th annual Xtra-Innings Classic in Jonesboro.
Sallee will be one of 84 players on four teams for the two-day event, which also includes a Pro Day where players will showcase their skills for college coaches and professional scouts. Sallee will play for the Patriots while Mounties coach Matt Melson will be one of three coaches leading the Lumber Kings.
Rosters
Xtra-Innings Class
at Jonesboro
Patriots
Derek Salle, Rogers High
Courtland McDonald, Jacksonville
Reagan Cates, Parkers Chapel
Colton Nix, Benton
Austin Powell, Star City
Ben Brasuell, Benton
Garrett Freeman, Russellville
Trey Hall, Westside
Caleb Reinhart, Manila
Douglas Munson, LR Episcopal
Antoine Luster, White Hall
Fielder Dufrene, Clinton
Rhett Connor, El Dorado
Gunnar Smith, Benton
Daniel Sprinkle, White Hall
Dylan McLemore, Rivercrest
J. Paul Fullerton, Harding Academy
Zach Jackson, Brynat
James Tucker, Jacksonville
Cutter Jester, Arkadelphia
JP Aiken, Woodlawn
Coaches
Brad Wallace, Vilonia
Jason Belcher, Manila
Mark Balisterri
Mudcats
Blake Wynn, Star City
Justin Pierce, Watson Chapel
Trey Breeding, Bryant
Tucker Hydick, Valley View
Blake Daniels, Marked Tree
Zac Harrington, Magnolia
Danny Mitchel, North Little Rock
Robert Tompkins, Taylor
Drew Dyer, Benton
Joe Hampton, LR Christian
Dylan Thompson, LR Catholic
Nick Myers, Nashville
Taylor Anders, Van Buren
Brody Ninemire, Viola
Noah Holt, Harding Academy
Drew Harris, Lincoln
Colby Johnson, Benton
Will Camp, Gosnell
Landon James, Cabot
Angus Denton, Beebe
Logan Gragg, Prairie Grove
Coaches
Joe Allbritton, Mayflower
Matt Snyder, Pocahontas
Kirk Bock, Bryant
Lumber Kings
Joe Myers, LR Catholic
Chase Nix, Benton
Blake Patterson, Bryant
Blake Hall, Magnolia
Greg Jones, Jacksonville
Justin Swecker, Genoa Central
Cale Riding, Genoa Central
Ryan Rickford, Benton
Hayden Weaver, Vilonia
Brinson Williams, Benton
Jaylen Jackson, Watson Chapel
Drew Duncan, Mayflower
Layne Ditto, Walnust Ridge
Drew Tipton, Bryant
Brandan Warner, Bryant
Ben Madison, Bauxite
Jake Freeman, Greenwood
Mason Gibson, Nettleton
Blake Maddox, Sylvan Hills
Garry Hill, Star City
Caleb Hollimen, Woodlawn
Coaches
Matt Melson, Rogers High
Dustin Wolcott, Crossett
Barrett Davis, Maumelle
Renegades
Jake Goodson, Vilonia
Dillon Groves, Brookland
Hunter Welch, Crossett
Joshua Smeltzer, Magnet Cove
Nathan Harrison, Wynne
Garrett Huff, Genoa Central
Marcus Long, Sylvan Hills
Hunter Heslep, Sylvan Hills
Ty Kosters, Arkadelphia
Keiandre Purifoy, Smackover
Evan Lee, Bryant
Ethan Edwards, Greenbrier
Derek St. Clair, Jacksonville
Hunter Strong, Sheridan
Aaron Fitts, Jonesboro
Matt Strickland, Conway
Kirk Baugh, White Hall
Clayton Douglas, Hamburg
Kuron Summons, Maumelle
Tanner Wiley, FS Southside
Christian Ewing, Dover
Coaches
Jason McGhee, Dover
Kyle Slayton, Nashville
Larry Burrows, Jacksonville
Other local players invited to play include Logan Gragg of Prairie Grove and former Lincoln player Drew Harris.
Sallee batted .378 with eight RBIs last season, and he finished with a 3.66 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 28 innings of work. He will also play either shortstop or second base when not on the mound. Sallee is playing American Legion baseball this summer for Rogers.
"It's absolutely amazing to be selected, almost a dream come true," Sallee said. "I'm so blessed to have this opportunity, and I am excited about it. I'm really pumped. Any time you are playing where there are college coaches, it can be a little nerve racking. But that is a thrill I love about the game."
Sallee said pitching in the 7A/6A-West Conference last season was a learning experience.
"Pitching this past year at the varsity level really helped me grow as a player," Sallee said. "I learned more about my capabilities against other hitters. I can't expect to blow the ball past people; I learned that I have to pitch smart. I have to pitch around people and throw quality strikes."
Former Rogers High player Timmy Seldomridge played last year in the classic and his performance helped the former Mounties shortstop get a scholarship offer from Arkansas State.
"Timmy has told me what a huge opportunity this is," Sallee said. "He told me how much fun it is going to be being able to play with so many colleges being there."
Melson said he expects Sallee to step into one of the two starting pitching roles next season for the Mounties.
"Derek really improved over the last year," Melson said. "He has become more of a pitcher, and not just a thrower. When kids like Timmy and Derek can represent our program in something like this, it is always a positive."
All players were nominated by high school coaches and were selected to participate by a committee of high school coaches representing various conferences from across the state. Players were sorted by primary position then selected in draft. All the coaches drafted the four teams as a group, then drew the teams out of hat to determine which team the coaches would coach.
Last year's event was attended by over 40 college coaches and professional scouts, the including Major League Scouting Bureau and college coaches from Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Other notable former high school players who have played in the classic include former Razorbacks Jalen Beeks (Prairie Grove), Tyler Spoon, Sam Bates and Barrett Astin.
Sports on 06/17/2014