Waves exploit mistakes, Stars play sour note

2017 SAN DIEGO STARS BASEBALL

By Nick Pellegrino

Special to EastCountySports.com

ESCONDIDO (7-18-17) – Fifty years ago on Tuesday (July 17), America lost jazz impresario John Coltrane, who is considered among the finest musician in terms of this country’s indigenous art form.

 

His dedication and works habits were so extreme, Coltrane was known to practice between sets during a studio recording, or between shows when performing on the road.

So when the San Diego Stars looked to do something as simple as throwing a baseball, they might as well been playing on Coltrane’s alto saxophone – all did not go well.

“Something like four or five players, on their first throw of the game, it seemed like they hadn’t even warmed up,” said Stars owner/field manager Mickey Deutschman. “It was like they never made any throws.”

It wasn’t just the act of throwing that went sideways for the Stars, which failed to execute in several major areas. Meanwhile, the host San Diego Waves did nearly everything right in mounting a 5-0 lead, en route to an 8-2 victory in Western Baseball Association action at Escondido High.

The triumph moved the Waves into undisputed possession of first place in the WBA South, as league officials continue to re-arrange the schedule before one team heads to Wichita, Kan., for the NBC World Series.

“The Waves are two or three games up on us, but they just picked up two forfeit wins when Dove Tail didn’t show up for a doubleheader,” noted Mickey D.

Meanwhile, the Stars have only played two of their eight games (four each) with the bottom two teams in the standings, Left unplayed, the Stars (19-7 overall) hold slim hopes for a national tournament berth, but if they do complete their schedule.

“We would like to see everyone play a complete schedule so we can truly find out — on the field — which team should be the champion,” he added. “Then there would be no dispute.”

Waves pitcher Kevin Palm, who was the winner in last Saturday’s WBA All-Star Game, carried a shutout into the 6th inning, collecting another victory. He allowed just four hits and struck out seven batters. He was charged for one run when a reliever uncorked a wild pitch on his first delivery, allowing Jeremiah Barr (lead, pinch-hit double in the 6th) to trot home.

Designated hitter Jake Thompson continues to beat up the Stars. He delivered three RBI, including twice on smart ground balls to the right side to score runners from third base.

For the Stars, Shane Coleman and Jose Alexander each batted 2-for-4, with Coleman driving in the Stars’ only other run, also in the 6th. After Barr’s double, Dallas Seidel and Joey Krug took consecutive walks. then Coleman laced a run-scoring base hit to center field.

The Stars continue their 4-game road trip Thursday, meeting the San Diego Mavericks at Olympian High in Chula Vista. First pitch is slated for 5 p.m.