Through the first eight games of the Lehigh Valley Legion season, Lower Macungie manager Mark Sterkenberg believes that his team simply hasn't hit its stride. With a 4-4 record, the team sits in the middle of the pack one week before the league squares off against the Schuylkill-Berks League All-Stars in the annual competition.

"Right now, some of our big horses just aren't hitting," said Sterkenberg after his team dropped a 10-0 decision to Salisbury. "Once some of these guys start to hit like I'm sure they will, we'll be a much better team."

The offense has been somewhat spotty, with only two games one against Emmaus and the other against South Parkland where they scored in double-digits. Tucked around those games have been the shutout at Salisbury, a one-run performance against West Allentown and a three-run performance against Southern Lehigh.

As a team, Lower Macungie is hitting .247, with just seven extra base hits all doubles on the season. Meanwhile, the team has posted a 4.49 ERA.

With the all-star contest looming, Lower Macungie will send two players to the contest. Pitcher Tyler Sterkenberg and infielder/outfielder Jared Miller. For Miller, he believes that more of his teammates should make the trip to FirstEnergy Field in Reading with him next Monday.

"I was kind of surprised that I got picked," admitted Miller. "Tyler (Sterkenberg) definitely deserves to go and Zack (Fotta) was the Player of the Week a week or two ago and he should be going, too. In fact, he should be going ahead of me and there are probably a couple other guys who should be going."

While he's humble, Miller's numbers (. 421 average, .522 on-base percentage) certainly warrant being selected, but he's right on other accounts. Fotta is hitting .304 and leads the team with eight RBI and Luini Camilo is hitting .400 with a .538 OBP.

Against Salisbury, Miller was limited to serving as the team's designated hitter because of a balky shoulder that he believes came from playing a little too much.

Miller believes he'll be back in the lineup this week, allowing the team to take advantage of his strong defensive skills.

"Jared has been one of our leaders." said coach Sterkenberg. "He gets on base, has some speed and we can play him at a couple different spots and he handles them well defensively. He definitely deserves to be in the all-star game."

Sterkenberg also deserves to be there. He has started two games and in 10 innings, has struck out 16 while posting a 1.40 ERA.

"Tyler's been great this season," said Miller. "I'm glad he was picked for the [all-star] game, because he definitely deserves it and like I said, there are other guys who deserved it, too, and got overlooked.

"While I believe there are other players who deserve to be there instead of me, I have to say that it's an honor to be selected."