07/13/2005 2:16 PM - This week, outfielder Rick Prieto and pitchers Greg Bicknell and Jon McDonald were named league all-stars and chosen to represent the South Division in this year’s Northern League All-Star game set to take place at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Ind. on July 19.

Prieto, the T-Bones’ starting centerfielder, has been a menace to opposing pitchers batting from the leadoff spot this season. He finished the first half batting .310 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI. Prieto also scored a team-high 38 runs in 39 games.

Player/coach Greg Bicknell has emerged as the true ace of the T-Bones starting rotation. Bicknell’s 9 victories lead the Northern League, and his 2.76 ERA, 58 strikeouts and three complete games are all in the top five among league leaders. The Northern League’s Pitcher of the Month for June, Bicknell’s 81.2 innings pitched lead the T-Bones, and opponents are only batting .252 against the veteran.

Jon McDonald has been solid in the first half for the T-Bones. The former College World Series hurler from Florida State, McDonald sports a team-best 2.27 ERA along with his 3 victories. McDonald got off to a fast start this season going 2-0 out of the gates highlighted by a complete game five-hit shutout against the Lincoln Saltdogs. McDonald was also rewarded as the Northen League Pitcher of the Week for the first week of the season for holding Edmonton scoreless through seven innings. McDonald has allowed fewer than four in 8 of his 9 starts this season.

Players were selected to respective teams by Northern League managers, radio announcers and a media representative. Calgary's Mike Busch will manage the North squad and Schaumburg’s Andy McCauley and George Tsamis of St. Paul of St. Paul will co-lead the South team.