At the half way point of the summer Illini baseball payers are making their presence felt on the ball fields across the country, especially in North Carolina.

Playing for the Fayetteville SwampDogs in Fayetteville, N.C., as a part of the Costal Plain League, Illinois seniors-to-be Shawn Roof and Ryan Snowden, and sophomores-to-be Dominic Altobelli and Aaron Martin have helped the SwapDogs capture the CPL South Division first-half championship with a record of 18-6.

“Early in the season we were pretty much pitching and defense,” Roof said. “If we had a lead in the sixth or seventh inning the game was pretty much over because of our bullpen. Now our bats are heating up and we’re scoring a lot of runs and it’s a blast getting to play everyday with the guys here.”

In his second season playing as an infielder for the SwampDogs Roof his leading the Illini offensive players with a .272 batting average and is leading the SwampDogs in runs scored with 26.

Despite injuring his wrist early on in the summer Roof’s play on the field earned him his second straight trip to the CPL All-Star game as a part of the CPL American All-Star team, where he went 2-for-3 with a run scored as his CPL American All-Stars defeated the CPL National All-Stars 7-6 in Fayetteville.

“I made the All-Star team last year but I was more surprised about it this year,” Roof said. “I was only batting about .250 when I made the team, but the coaches must have liked the way I play. So I guess I made a good impression and it’s always an honor when the coaches vote you in.”

While it’s Roof’s second season playing in the CPL, newcomers Altobelli, Martin and Snowden are enjoying their first experience playing summer ball on the Atlantic coast.

“It’s my first summer away from home so it’s a pretty new experience for me,” Altobelli said. “I thought it would be a little more different than it is but it’s been good. The thing I like the most about playing summer ball is being able to travel and play everyday. The only downside is that the weather is kind of hot out here.”

Despite the high and uncomfortable temperatures, pitcher Aaron Martin has been turning opposing batters ice cold from the mound for the SwampDogs this season.

In four starts for the SwampDogs Martin is 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA and 20 strikeouts. On his July 7 start he threw eight innings of shutout baseball and gave up just two hits and struck out six batters in Fayetteville’s 3-0 win against New Bern.

“I’ve been able to get a few good starts in,” Martin said. “I’m starting to throw a lot more than I did at college so I’m getting the experience I need. I’m just trying to become more consistent so when I get back to Illinois I can become one of the top starters.”

Fellow sophomore-to-be, infielder Dominic Altobelli, is also having a good summer in Fayetteville, hitting .250 with a .357 on-base-percentage.

Altobelli saw limited action during last season for the Illini, but because the SwampDogs are playing everyday he is getting the opportunity to showcase his talent among new coaches and new players.

“It’s great to be able to meet new players here,” Altobelli said. “You are able to pick up new things and tools you can use in the game and it really helps you out. Plus you get to see all the great talent around the country.”

The only Illini player who has struggled this summer in Fayetteville is outfielder Ryan Snowden who, after leading the Illini last season in hitting at .342, is hitting only .111 with the SwampDogs.

Despite his struggles at the plate, Snowden and the rest of the Illini are glad to have the opportunity to play with players from around the country. All four are even more glad to have each other on team with them during the summer.

“Having teammates down here is definitely a good thing,” Martin said. “When you first come down you are able to have some guys to hang out with as you get to know everyone else.”

While the four Illini teammates in Fayetteville are proving that they can play in the heat of east coast, they aren’t the only Illini making noise in the summer league

Illinois’ closer and senior-to-be Jake Toohey was selected to the Northwoods League South Division All-Star team after compiling 13 saves in 17 appearances for the Rochester Honkers.