North Adams, MA – Michael Elko (Valley, IF/C, Richmond) and Mateo Wells (Upper Valley, RHP, High Point) have won the 2025 All-Star Fan Vote, and will join the rosters for Sunday’s 2025 New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) All-Star Game!

After a thrilling contest with over 6,500 votes cast, Elko was voted in for the South Division, which includes the Bristol Blues, Danbury Westerners, Mystic Schooners, Martha’s Vineyard Sharks, Newport Gulls, Ocean State Waves and Elko’s Valley Blue Sox. 

Wells was voted in for the North Division, surpassing nominees from the Keene SwampBats, North Adams SteepleCats, Vermont Mountaineers, Sanford Mainers, North Shore Navigators and the hosting Upper Valley Nighthawks.

Returning for its tenth season, the fan vote gives one player from each team, who wasn’t initially selected for the All-Star Game, the opportunity to secure a spot as the 30th member of each roster.

Elko, totaled 1,057 votes throughout the four-day voting campaign securing a margin of victory by nearly 200 votes. The North Carolina native has logged 31 games for the Blue Sox this season totaling 19 runs scored, 25 hits, with a trio of doubles including 11 RBI and 21 stolen bases. 

Elko gives the Blue Sox four All-Stars this season, including starting outfielder Sebastian Mexico (Louisiana Tech), relief pitcher Greg Shaw (UConn), and closing pitcher Andrew Wertz (Salve Regina). The 2025 Fan Vote Selection marks back-to-back seasons a Valley player has clinched the 30th spot in the All-Star Game lineup. 

Wells, who compiled 677 votes as the North Division representative clinched the final spot by nearly 200 votes as well. The High Point pitcher has accounted for 11.1 innings on the mound this season for the Nighthawks including 11 strikeouts, only three hits in nine appearances recording a 0.79 ERA. Wells secured his first win of the 2025 campaign with three strikeouts as he faced six batters in a tight 5-4 win over Martha’s Vineyard. 

Wells will be the sixth Nighthawks player to participate in this year’s All-Start Game joining teammate and starting outfielder Cole Fellows (Columbia), relief pitcher Aaron Potter (Georgia Gwinnett), and reserves Nick Shuhet (Rider), AJ Brotz (Marist), Alex Marot (Charleston Southern). 

The 2025 NECBL All-Star Game will be held at Muzzy Field, home of the Blues, on Sunday July 21. 

Sunday’s festivities will start at 2:40pm with the Home Run Derby free to watch on NECBL+, followed by the first pitch of the All-Star Game at 5:10pm on ESPN+. 

Check out all the All-Star Game information and announcements here - 2025 NECBL All-Star Game Homepage