Former North Stanly pitcher added to 2025 NECBL All-Star team

Published 9:58 am Friday, July 18, 2025

NEW LONDON — A former North Stanly Comet will be included in the New England Collegiate Baseball League 2025 All-Star Game on Sunday night.

Sanford Mainers and UNC Asheville standout Nic Melton was recently announced as a reserve relief pitcher representing the Mainers as a member of the North Division Team.

The upcoming NECBL game will be hosted by the Upper Valley Nighthawks at the Maxfield Sports Complex in White River Junction, Vermont.

“Exciting news! Our very own former Comet, Nic Melton, has made it to the NECBL All-Star game,” North Stanly Athletics said in a statement. “We couldn’t be more proud of your incredible talent and hard work. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition; you’ve earned every bit of it!”

Set for a 5:10 p.m. start, the exhibition matchup will feature the 13-team league’s top talent in front of an audience of fans and MLB scouts in attendance.

Melton is one of seven relief pitchers on the North Division squad, joining Ben Dean (Keene, Duke), Kyle Salvati (North Adams, Franklin Pierce), Zach Kittrell (North Shore, Alabama), Tyler Longoria (Sanford, St. John’s), Aaron Potter (Upper Valley, Georgia Gwinnett), and Jayson Torres (Vermont, Maryland).

“With the NECBL division realignment, this is the first year where All-Star rosters will perfectly match with regular season divisions,” the NECBL revealed over the weekend. “Keene, Sanford, Upper Valley, North Adams, North Shore, and Vermont have battled it out all year, but will join forces on the 20th as their rosters compile the North Division All-Star roster.”

The itinerary for the game also includes a noon softball game and a home run derby at 2:40 p.m; tickets are available for $10 for adults, and children under 18 are admitted for free.

“You can catch No. 1 at the All-Star Game,” the Sanford Mainers organization announced on Sunday. “Congratulations Nick Melton on being selected as a Relief Pitcher for the 2025 NECBL All-Star Team! Well deserved.”

Stationed at Goodall Park in Sanford, Maine, the Mainers were NECBL league champions in both 2004 and 2008 and have produced over 200 alumni in the MLB.

This season, Melton has produced a 3-1 record to go with a team-best 1.03 ERA in his eight appearances.

The New London native, a rising senior for UNC Asheville, is coming off a junior season where he made 21 appearances and two starts for the Bulldogs, totaling 31 strikeouts while striking out a career-high six batters at Queens on March 11.