TORRINGTON, Conn. -- Rising junior catcher Mike Melillo was honored as the MVP of the 2008 New England Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game on Tuesday night after he helped lead the Southern All-Stars to a 5-2 victory over the Northern All-Stars. He is playing for the Newport Gulls this summer.

Melillo, who started at catcher, went 2-for-2 with a run scored and two RBI. He recorded a double and a single on his way to claiming the John Watterson All-Star Game MVP Award.

Melillo's Elon teammate Chase Austin, who is playing for the Torrington Twisters, also appeared in the all-star contest.  Austin went 0-for-1 and appeared at third base for the Northern All-Stars.

On the year, Melillo is hitting .312 with 18 runs, seven doubles, two homers and 29 RBI for the Gulls. Austin has batted .302 with 18 runs, seven doubles, four home runs and 22 RBI.  He is also a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts this summer.