Stars hold off Bats for 18th-straight

By ECS Staff
Updated: June 30, 2018

Michael Horton pitching, Brady Joslyn catching for the Stars.

2018 SAN DIEGO STARS BASEBALL

East County Sports staff report

SANTEE (6-30-2018) – Three outs away from an easy run-rule victory, the San Diego Stars needed to fight to the very end when the Dovetail Bats moved within one swing of the bat to knot Friday’s NBC Western Regional tournament opener.

Fortunately for the Stars, that swing came in the form of a game-clinching strikeout by relief pitcher Joey Krug, gaining the save, in San Diego’s 14-10 decision over the Bats at West Hills High.

The Stars are now 18-0 this summer and are tied at the top of the West Hills tournament pool with the West Coast Clippers. The two ballclubs meet in Saturday’s second of three pool play contests, starting at 3 p.m., with the victor guaranteed a berth in Monday’s semifinals.

San Diego held a 13-3 advantage through six innings, thanks to a 2-single by Brady Joslyn to cap a 3-run rally.

But the bullpen nearly handed it all away. Following a pair of strikeouts, a combination of three walks and a pair of hit batsmen saw one run forced home and the bases loaded with an opportunity for the Bats to pull even.

However, Krug survived an 8-pitch at bat with a swing-and-a-miss at a fastball to collect his first save of the summer. Krug is sixth Stars pitcher go collect a save this season, the highest total by the Stars bullpen this century.

Mike Horton gained the pitching victory, striking out five in his 4 1/3 innings of relief. On the flip side, the Stars collected their 14 runs on 15 hits, scoring 43 runs (14.3 per game) in three outings with the Bats this year.

Both teams saw eight of their nine starters collect base hits. Leading the way for the Stars were Ryan Cole and Kyle Pineda, who went 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Pineda also had two RBI, along with Dallas Seidel and Joslyn.