Stars’ Gentry offers long-term relief

By Nick Pellegrino
Updated: June 30, 2022

San Diego Christian College senior pitcher Luke Gentry / SDCC courtesy photo

2022 SAN DIEGO STARS SUMMER COLLEGIATE BASEBALL

By Nick Pellegrino
ECS staff writer

Scores/Schedule HERE

VISTA — Luke Gentry, one of the few bright spots on the San Diego Christian College pitching staff in recent seasons. came through with another stellar, long-term effort from out of the bullpen.

For the second time this summer, Gentry lasted six full innings after a starting pitcher failed to escape the first or second inning, allowing the San Diego Stars enough time to rally for a 13-8 triumph over the North County Bulldogs.

Luke Gentry

The victory moves the Stars into first place in the Western Baseball Association.

“It was his first day back from a long break,” said Gentry on the Stars starting pitcher. It’s always tough coming back from a layoff,”

Always a team player, Gentry stayed positive yet offered no excuses either.

“He did his job, then I was there to get him the rest of the way.”

San Diego pounded the Bulldogs pitch for four runs in the first inning, but North County answered with seven runs over the first two innings.

Included was a 3-run homer by the Dawgs’ :J.J.” Jackson in the first, then four more runs (three unearned) in the second before the ball came for Gentry.

A starting pitcher for San Diego Christian College, Gentry yielded just one run on two hits, striking out seven North County batters to collect the win.

“Honestly, I am pretty in shape with my arm,” he added. “I had a lot of innings pitched in many long outings which prepared me a bit for games like this.”

“I’m just out there doing my best for a great group of guys.”

“Of course It’s always good to count on huge run support from all of these great hitters.”

The Stars (8-3 overall, 4-1 WBA) eclipsed double figures for the third time in their last six starts, heating up just in time for the rise in summer temperatures.

Leading the offense was right fielder Gavin Lass (Madison ’22), who drove in three runs, while West Hills products Joey Krug (Class of ’15) and Andrew Ritayik (’20) added two RBI each.

Down 7-4, Brady Joslyn and Lass started the comeback with consecutive doubles in the third.

An inning later, a two-run single by Krug tied the contest after bringing home Ethan Wright and Matt Fucella.

Then in the fifth, the Bulldogs flip-flopped from a great play to a major misstate. Following three lead walks, North County picked off a runner for the second out, but then the pitched balked to allow Lass to tally the go-ahead run.

Lass later waked with the bases-loaded for his third RBI, with Camden Sos followed with another RBI base-on-balls, then a sacrifice fly by Ritayik for an 11-7 lead in the sixth.

When Gentry finally ran out of gas, Gavin Perry took the mound and fired two innings of 1-hit ball to garner the save.

As for Gentry, the Business major possesses one additional season of eligibility (pandemic rules), but may not take it, noting, “It’s probably time,” said the 23-year old.

The Stars return to WBA action with a doubleheader on Saturday, meeting the San Diego Yeti at Morley Field in Balboa Park, starting at 11 a.m. (TIME CHANGE)