Huntingdon’s Fought named to OVL All-Star Game

HUNTINGBURG, Ind. – Huntingdon third baseman/outfielder Taylor Fought will play in the Ohio Valley League All-Star Game on Sunday.

The game will be played at 6 p.m. (Central) at League Stadium in Huntingburg, Ind.

"It is truly an honor to be selected to the OVL West All-Star team," Fought said. "Being one of the few Division III players in this league, and showing that I can compete with some of the top talent across the country, is really something I am proud of."

The OVL All-Star rosters were released earlier this week. Fought was one of 56 players invited to play in the East-West All-Star Game. Fought was selected as a utility player for the West squad.

"Playing in the Ohio Valley League this summer has been a good opportunity for Taylor," Huntingdon baseball coach D.J. Conville said. "He is competing and testing himself against quality players and that is only going to help him. Taylor worked hard and developed into a leader for us this past spring. Being chosen to the OVL All-Star game shows how hard he is continuing to work this summer."

A rising senior at Huntingdon, Fought is playing for the Hoptown Hoppers in the OVL this summer. The OVL is a wood-bat summer collegiate league that began competition in 2011. The Hoppers are located in Hopkinsville, Ky.

"Going to play for the Hoppers has been a challenge and a blessing. This team is full of talent and all of them are all-around great guys. I consider it a privilege to be able to experience this with them," Fought said. "The community really rallies together and supports the Hoppers' program. The host families, who allow us to stay with them for two whole months, are amazing. The town is so friendly and helpful. As players, we want to perform for them every game to show our appreciation."

Entering Saturday, the Hoppers led the OVL West Division with a 17-12 record. Fought is one of seven Hoptown players in the All-Star game.

In 28 games with Hoptown, Fought is third on the team with 35 hits and a .324 batting average. He also has 19 runs, 13 RBIs and eight doubles.

"The experience has been humbling for me," Fought said. "Just like when I started at Huntingdon, it took a while to figure out the competition and what I had to do to adjust to the pitching. In this league, it is still something I work on every day."

In his first season with Huntingdon in 2017, Fought earned second-team All-Conference honors. The Fort Walton Beach, Fla., native led the Hawks with 51 hits, 34 RBIs, 32 runs, six home runs, nine doubles and tied for the team lead with a .340 batting average. He was third in the USA South Athletic Conference in home runs and tied for fourth in RBIs.