NorthWood’s Vincent Herschberger was chosen as an Indiana All-Star. (File photo by James Costello)

INDIANAPOLIS – A pair of local baseball stars have confirmed their place among the Northern All-Stars for the 2017 North-South All-Star game later this month.

Whitko’s Drew Bradford was chosen as an Indiana All-Star. (File photo by Mike Deak)

Whitko’s Drew Bradford and NorthWood’s Vince Herschberger both confirmed their acceptance to the series of All-Star games against stars from southern Indiana in a tournament slated for July 15-16 at Ball State University.

Bradford and Herschberger both helped their high school teams to all-time seasons this past spring.

Bradford went 9-1 with one save and a 1.02 ERA, 103 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings of work, which included a no-hitter and wins in both sectional games for the Wildcats. Bradford, who was also an infielder, hit .417 at the dish with a home run, nine doubles, 34 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

Whitko would win its first-ever sectional title before losing to Wapahani in the Wabash Regional. The Wildcats would finish its season 21-10 overall.

Bradford was named the District 1 Player of the Year by the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association. He was also a first-team All-Three Rivers Conference selection.

Herschberger was part of the finest season in NorthWood history. The Panthers finished 26-2 and rattled off 26 straight wins and a perfect Northern Lakes Conference ledger, getting to the semi-state for the first time since 1983. Hershberger was a big part of that momentum, earning All-NLC honors as a pitcher and third baseman.

Players from the area that were also chosen include Penn catcher Nolan Metcalf, Elkhart Central first baseman Andrew Salmon, Marian infielder Riley Tirotta, St. Joe infielder Tony Carmola and Peru pitcher Sean Smith. The North will be coached by Daleville skipper Terry Turner.

The games will be played Saturday and Sunday at Ball State, a doubleheader between the North and South on Saturday and a one-game ‘wood bat’ exhibition on Sunday. Teams were recently announced after players verbally committed to playing in the tournament, which is selected by coaches from the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association.