Stars shine but fall to Monarchs in 10

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: August 6, 2021

2021 SAN DIEGO STARS BASEBALL

By Nick Pellegrino

ECS staff writer

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —-In the press information packet for the 87th annual National Baseball Congress World Series, the Hutchinson (Kan,) Monarchs boasted how their roster listed a record number of NCAA Division I ballplayers.

The San Diego Stars were hardly impressed.

Composed of small college and community college prospects, the Stars rallied against one of those D-1 big boys to force extra innings, yet still fell to the Monarchs, 4-3 in 10 innings, in the tournament opener held Thursday (August 5) at Hobart-Detter Stadium at Carey Park.

The Stars rallied from 3-1 down to get even against Monarch standout pitcher Eli Davis of Kansas,, who earned Big 12 Conference player of the week laurels after firing a 7-inning no-hitter against in-state rival Kansas State in a Dillon Sunflower Showdown game in mid-May.

Stars third baseman Joey Krug, who earlier registered an RBI double to ignite the San Diego comeback, followed a Kyle Pineda walk with a basehit. Catcher Andrew Ritiyak (West Hills HS) walked on four pitches to load the bases as Davis couldn’t find the strike zone.

And when Stars left fielder Ryan Culp followed with a line single, the teams were level at 3-all.

However, Hutchinson won on an RBI double by Garrett Kocis, scoring Cooper Harris (led walk). Both play for Wichita State.

For San Diego, Krug and Brady Joslyn (double) both posted two hits. Pitchers Baily Roberson and Kair Dennis split duty in strong outings.

The Stars (16-12 overall) now start the treacherous path through the challengers (loser) bracket, next playing on Saturday against the loser of Thursday’s late game between the Hays (Kan.) Larks and the Mid-Crest (Ill.) Pumas.