Stars stymied in NBC World Series opener

By ECS Staff
Updated: August 3, 2018

A Stars batter at the plate against Wellington (Kan.) on Friday.

2018 SAN DIEGO STARS BASEBALL

NATIONAL BASEBALL CONGRESS WORLD SERIES

East County Sports staff report

WICHITA, Kan. (8-4-2018) — The San Diego Stars limped into the 84th annual National Baseball Congress World Series missing several starters, many due to late-season injuries. Meanwhile, the starting pitching for the Wellington (Kan.) Heat feels fortunate to even be on the mound again, combining in a one-sided affair in the teams’ national tournament opener.

Wellington Heat pitcher Steve Pastora delivers to the Stars on Friday at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan.

Wellington’s Steve Pastora (College of San Mateo/Western Michigan University) allowed just one base hit in his eight innings of work, leading the Heat past the Stars, 7-4, in the first contest is the main draw for all 16 finalists at historic Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

Dallas Seidel, the Stars’ top hitter in both average and power-hitting this summer, registered the lone hit against Pastora. San Diego then posted four runs against the bullpen in the ninth inning, but the outcome has long been decided.

Pastora was the prize for at least a dozen NCAA Division I programs coming out of El Camino High (the one near San Francisco, not in Oceanside), but interest quickly dried after he injured his shoulder during a postseason showcase event; he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in May 2013.

Two seasons at College of San Mateo saw Pastora pitch a mere two-thirds of an inning instead playing at third base and designated hitting. But when WMU’s Broncos took a chance on him, nearly four years of rehab has the right-hander back in the sight of pro baseball scouts.

Meanwhile, the Stars are missing third baseman Joey Krug (leg), starting pitcher Jeremiah Barr (shoulder), and Kyle Pineda (undisclosed), the most valuable player in the Western Baseball Association All-Star Game this summer.

The Stars compete in the first contest in the main draw for all 16 finalists at historic Lawrence-Dumont Stadium on Friday at the NBC World Seres.

Luckily, the WBA South Division champions battled to the end to impress the pro scouts in attendance.

Against the Heat bullpen, Joslyn Brady led-off with a single, coming home on a double to the wall in left field by Ryan Culp. Tristan Salinas was hit by a pitch, then Culp would score when Seidel reached on a dropped third strike.

Emilio Escobedo singled and advanced to second base on an error, allowing Salinas and Seidel to score.

Wellington now leads the all-time series against San Diego, 4-0, with the first three coming when the franchise was the 2007 NBCWS national champions and based in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and playing as the Havasu Heat.

The Stars (25-7 overall) play the second of three pool play games on Sunday against an opponent to be determined.