Seven Sharks Headed to Sanford: Pierzynski, Taylor and Hall Named All-Star Starters as Vineyard Floods the Midsummer Classic
Catcher Austin Pierzynski, third baseman Jackson Taylor and outfielder Kevin Hall will start for the South Division, with Jackson Roper, Wesley Scott, Nick Rubino and Ryan Renfroe joining them as reserves — all playing for Sharks skipper Peyton Fuller, who will manage the South squad.
Oak Bluffs, MA - The first-place Martha's Vineyard Sharks will be well represented when the NECBL's best gather one week from today for the 2026 All-Star Game at Goodall Park in Sanford, Maine. Seven Sharks earned selections in the league's roster announcement — three starters and four reserves — and every one of them will suit up for a familiar face, with Sharks head coach Peyton Fuller previously named manager of the South Division squad.
Leading the contingent are three South Division starters:
Austin Pierzynski (UAB) gets the nod behind the plate. The catcher has been a steadying force in the middle of the Vineyard lineup all summer, delivering some of the club's biggest swings — including a three-RBI night capped by the extra-innings go-ahead run in last week's ten-inning win at Newport.
Jackson Taylor (Clemson) starts at third base. Taylor has made a habit of the big moment on both sides of the ledger — game-winning hits on the road, go-ahead knocks at home — and has been at the center of the Sharks' surge to the top of the South Division.
Kevin Hall (UAB) takes an outfield spot, and no one who was at the Shark Tank on Friday needs to ask why. Hall turned in one of the signature performances of the NECBL season in the rout of Ocean State: four hits, two home runs, six RBI, five runs scored — and a straight steal of home in the first inning.
Four more Sharks made the South roster as reserves:
Shortstop Jackson Roper (Georgia Southern), outfielder Wesley Scott (Louisiana Tech) — whose power has delivered timely home runs on the road this summer — outfielder Nick Rubino (Wake Forest), a fixture in the Vineyard outfield and a steady contributor to the league's top offense, and reliever Ryan Renfroe (Kennesaw St.), who has been the shutdown arm at the back of the Vineyard bullpen, piling up strikeouts and slamming doors in the late innings.
With every NECBL club represented in Sanford, the Sharks' seven selections — plus the man running the South dugout — stand as a testament to the deepest, most balanced roster in the division and a first-place season built on contributions up and down the lineup.
The 2026 NECBL All-Star Game takes place Sunday, July 26 at Goodall Park in Sanford, Maine.
About the Martha's Vineyard Sharks
The Martha's Vineyard Sharks are a member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), providing top collegiate talent with a platform to develop and entertain fans across the region. The MV Sharks Baseball Foundation, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to promoting baseball on Martha's Vineyard. We are currently seeking support to improve our baseball field at The Shark Tank, enhancing facilities for players, fans, and the community. The total estimated cost for these upgrades is $520,000, and as of today, we have secured commitments totaling $200,000. If interested, your donation will help bridge this gap, directly contributing to better playing conditions, safety features, and accessibility, ensuring the Martha's Vineyard Sharks continue to thrive as a beacon of youth development and local pride. Donate here today via our secure online form at mvsharks.com/donate (powered by MxMerchant for seamless, tax-receipted giving), or email/call Russ Curran at russ.curran@mvsharks.com / 508-813-0380. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference and qualifies for tax benefits.