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SAN DIEGO STARS Semipro Baseball
2010 Record: 37-12 (13-3 / WBA South Champions)
2009 & 2010 NBC Western Regional Champions
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.188
It's time for the Stars to come out

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIANA RESERVATION (2-10-11) — The San Diego Stars semipro baseball team, defending champions of the Western Baseball Association, announced its tryout schedule for the 2011 summer season.

The Stars seek qualified amateur, collegiate and former professional players for a ballclub which has captured titles five times over the past seven seasons under longtime owner/manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN.

"Talent speaks," noted Deutschman.

Tryouts will be held on Sat., May 14 and Sun., May 22, both at Stars Field, a private facility located 1.1 miles north of Barona Valley Ranch resort and casino along Wildcat Canyon Road, north of Lakeside. Registraton begins at noon, with players asked to be equipment ready (bats, helmet, spikes, gloves, etc.) to begin play at 1 p.m.

Over the past decade, the Stars (37-12 in 2010) were the lone semipro ballclub in Southern California that does not charge its players any fees (there is a refundable uniform deposit) to participate during the regular season. The Stars also participate in numerous prestigious tournaments, including the Grand Forks International in Canada and the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan.

For further information or to pre-register, visit the Stars Recruitment Page. You may also email the Stars about other issues.

The Stars are completely complient to all NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA and CCCAA rules for amateurism.

Bryson Lukicak
(ECS file photo)
Body of missing Stars player found

Special to East County Sports.com
BIG BEAR LAKE (12-3-10) — The body of BRYSON LUKICAK, the missing 22-year-old resident of Santee who was believed to be wandering the mountains in San Bernardino National Forest after suffering an apparent head injury, was discovered Friday morning. MORE

Bryson Lukacik Benefit

Lukacik's family recently held a benefit to raise money for funeral expenses. You may also make a donation at Chase Bank to the "Bryson Lukacik Trust Fund" (Acc't. #478199).


2010 SEASON
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Stars fall just short of GFIBC title game

© East County Sports.com
GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (9-7-10) — The 2010 summer baseball season for the San Diego Stars fell just one game short of the championship game, as the team settled for third place at the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic following a 7-5 setback to the Lewiston (Idaho) Truckers in Monday's (Sept. 6) semifinals at James Donaldson Stadium. BOXSCORE

Trailing most of the way after grabbing a quick 2-0 lead, the Stars (37-12 overall) left two runners on base over the final three innings, although they did score twice in the 9th inning to keep things interesting.

Stars regulars MATT POWELL and CLIFTON THOMAS led the offense with two basehits each, but were countered by Truckers first baseman Guy Gaylord, who slugged a 3-run homer in 3rd to grab the lead for keeps at 4-2.

Lewiston advanced to the title game, but fell to the Seattle Studs, 6-0, on a 3-hit shutout by J.T. Zink, the pitcher who twice defeated the Stars at the National Baseball Congress World Series last month. The Studs were national runners-up.


Stars gain GFIBC Final Four
berth behind 'magic and mirrors'

© East County Sports.com
GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (9-6-10) — FRANK CERVANTES never received enough time to properly warm-up in the bullpen after starter GABE WARD suddenly hit the wall in the 6th inning after tossing 4-hit ball against the Canada National Team.

Sunday's Quarterfinals BOX
San Diego Stars 6,
Canada National Team 5
Soon after Ward hit a batter and walked four batters to allow a pair of runs, Cervantes was quicklky forced into the ballgame, following with his own pair of free passes with the bases loaded, allowing Team Canada to tie Sunday's (Sept. 5) quarterfinals of the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic.

However, Cervantes warmed-up soon enough. The veteran right-hander finished with four innings of no-hit ball while the Stars finally managed to push across a run in the 8th to claim a 6-5 decision.

"Credit the team for not letting their spirits get down there during the middle innings," said Stars manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN. "We continue on with magic and mirrors."

Stars first baseman Greg Merritt, a late-inning replacement, would leadoff the 8th with a double. Merritt stole third base, then came home when shortstop Martin Lawrence slapped a ground ball to the right side which left Canada with no play except to first base while the go-ahead marker scored.

Stars catcher MATT POWELL batted 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI, while centerfielder CLIFTON THOMAS, the second batter of the game, homered to lift to give San Diego (37-11 record this summer) an early 1-0 lead.
Thomas and third baseman KEVIN ATKINSON each batted 2-for-3.

The victory in the final ballgame among five at James Donaldson Stadium saw the tournament's top four seeds all advance to Monday's semifinals.

The Stars will nwo get at early wake-up call and meet the powerful Lewiston (Idaho) Truckers at 8:30 a.m., followed by a final four game between the Seattle Studs and Idaho Warriors.

The Truckers and Warriors are the summer split-squad ballclubs of NAIA power Lewis-Clark State, which recently announced that veteran coach coach Ed Cheff is retiring after capturing 16 national crowns in 25 seasons.

The GFIBC championship is slated for 2:30 p.m.


Stars gain berth in Grand Forks quarterfinals

© East County Sports.com
GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (9-4-10) — The San Diego Stars advanced to the quarterfinals of the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic after splitting their final pair of pool play contests, both by 9-2 scores.

On Friday (Sept. 2), the Stars fell to the Idaho Warriors, but bounced back on Saturday (Sept. 3) to dump the Kamloops (B.C.) Sun Devils by the identical score.

Catcher GREG MERRITT batted 3-for-4 and knocked in three early runs for a 5-0 lead. Kamloops answered with a pair of runs in the 5th, but first baseman CHRISTOPHER LOPEZ answered with a 3-run homer in the 6th to advance the Stars into the tournament's money round.

CLIFTON THOMAS and KEVIN ATKINSON added a pair of hits each for the Stars (36-11).


Thomas' run is enough

© East County Sports.com
GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (9-3-10) — Through seven innings, former El Cajon Valley HS/Grossmont College standout CLIFTON THOMAS managed the only hit for the San Diego Stars.

The recent graduate from Texas A&M-Kingsville stroked a single, then stole a pair of bases before scoring on a sacrifice fly by shortstop MARTIN LAWRENCE.

The 2nd-inning run wasn't much, yet behind the shutout pitching of FRANK CERVANTES and GIOVANNI MARTINEZ, the Stars went on to a 3-0 triumph over the Thurston County Senators of Auburn, Wash., in Thursday's (Sept. 2) opening pool play contest of the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic.

Thomas registered his basehit off Senators starter Cody Hebner, who struck out nine batters in his seven innings. The Stars then posted six additional hits off the bullpen over the final two frames, scoring twice in the 8th. Included was a double by Thomas (2-for-5), who scored from third base on the throw to first base on a dropped third strike.

Catcher MATT POWELL also knocked in a run with a basehit to right-center, bringing home left fielder CHRISTOPHER LOPEZ, who earlier doubled to left.

Cervantes tossed 5 1/3 innings to gain the victory; Martinez lasted the final 3 2/3 to earn the save, striking out four without issuing a walk.

The Stars next contest is the tournament's Friday night, prime time affair, meeting the powerful Idaho Warriors at 8 p.m. The ballclubs are the two top seeds in their pool, with the victor gaining the best-possible seed for the knockout rounds over the weekend. The championship is slated for Labour Day ("Labor Day" in the USA) on Monday.


Stars invited to B.C. tournament

© East County Sports.com

GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (8-27-10) — The San Diego Stars saw its 2010 summer season schedule extended after receiving an invitation to participate in the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic. The tournament runs from Sept. 1-6 at historic James Donaldson Stadium.

The Stars, the only ballclub south of the Washington/Idaho area invited to the 12-team event, are 2-time champions and 5-time finalists in this prestigious event. They are among the three top-seeds, heading a pool which includes the Idaho Warriors, the Kamloops (B.C.) Sun Devils and the Thurston County (Wash.) Senators.


Seattle ends Stars' NBC dream BOXSCORE

© East County Sports.com

WICHITA, Kan. (8-11-10) –– The San Diego Stars belted three go-ahead home runs Tuesday (Aug. 10), yet long-time nemesis Seattle Studs countered with three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to take a 7-5 decision at the National Baseball Congress World Series.

Liberal (Kan.) downs Studs,
9-6, for NBC crown STORY
Seattle Studs advance
to NBC semifinals STORY
The setback eliminated the Stars (34-10) from the 76th annual event, with both losses coming against the Studs. The Stars finished in 7th place in the 32-team national tournament, the ballclub's best finish since placing third in 1999.

Catcher MATT POWELL accounted for the first pair of Stars homers. He opened the scoring with a solo shot in the 2nd, then after the Studs pulled even, Powell smacked a two-run shot to also score ROBBY SCOTT (safe on error) for a 3-1 lead in the 4th.

San Diego Stars pitcher Micah Spencer, who played
on-loan with Heroes of the Diamond for most of the
2010 summer season, signed with Kevin Costner's
Lake County Fielders of the Northern League.
(Photo by Bob Hallinen, courtesy
Anchorage Daily News)

Spencer headed to Northern lights

© East County Sports.com
GURNEE, Ill. (8-5-10) – Former San Diego Stars pitcher MICAH SPENCER made the most of his professional debut Wednesday (Aug. 4).

Less than 48 hours after signing with the Lake County Fielders of the Northern League – a ballclub owned by actor Kevin Costner – Spencer walked into town and gained the start, tossing 3 1/3 innings against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

Spencer allowed five runs on seven hits, walking only one while striking out six, including striking out the side in the 2nd.

Seattle answered on a 3-run homer by first baseman Mark Rockey to grab a 4-3 lead in the 5th. However, the Stars countered again when ADAM BIES sent a drive over the fence in left field, also scoring SHAIN STONER (hit by pitch) for a 5-4 advantage.

Stars pitcher PETE MALLOY, who was flown to south-central Kansas specifically for this contest, tossed 130 pitches in lasting 7 1/3 innings. But after walking a pair to place the go-ahead runners on base, the bullpen and the defense failed to save Malloy.

Brett Wilcox tied the game with a basehit to right field, but when the ball was booted, another run scored to allow the Studs to re-gain the lead for keeps.

San Diego placed the potential game-tying runners on base with two outs in the 9th, but Seattle reliever Taylor Thompson coaxed a pop-out to advance the Studs among the final six teams in the tournament.

The Stars, which entered the contest with an NBC best .406 team batting average, finished with just seven hits, including two each by Powell and Bies.

Powell led the Stars with eight RBI while batting .421 at the NBC World Series, yet five Stars posted better averages, including a club-leading .458 mark by Scott. FINAL STATS

Stars bursts – The Stars have gained entry to the Grand Forks International Classic in British Columbia over Labor Day weekend (Yes, it's also "Labour Day" weekend in Canada). The tournament, to be held Sept. 1-6, is an invitational-only event, as San Diego seeks its third title this decade... Since many of their players are returning to college or have work commitments, the Stars are seeking ballplayers at all positions for the event. Interested players must have a passport and meet Canadian requirements for entry into the country (no DUIs or any sort of criminal record).


Stars display heart of Stone BOXSCORE
Avoid elimination after rally from 8-0 deficit

© East County Sports.com
WICHITA, Kan. (8-10-10) –– In the biggest comeback of the season – and in a contest which could've ended their summer campaign – first baseman SHAIN STONER clubbed a go-ahead, two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning Monday (Aug. 9), powering the San Diego Stars past the Valley Center (Kan.) Diamond Dawgs, 12-11, at the 76th annual National Baseball Congress World Series. Wichita Eagle UPDATED STORY HERE

Eight ain't enough
The San Diego Stars celebrate a rally from an 8-0 deficit to stun the Valley Center (Kan.) Diamond Dawgs, 12-11, in NBC World Series action Monday (Aug. 9) in Wichita, Kan. Clifton Thomas (with sunglasses, top) displays his excitement. The Dawgs' Zach Smith (lower right) is left in dismay.
(Photos by Jeff Tuttle / Courtesy, The Wichita Eagle)

Stoner's bomb was the second clutch hit to move the Stars in front. After trailing 8-0 in the 2nd inning, the mammoth rally was capped by a 5-run outburst in the 7th, with JAKE SAVICKI placing the finishing touches to finally secure the lead with a 2-run single for a 10-9 advantage.

However, the Diamond Dawgs got a break in the 8th when a potential inning-ending fly ball landed for a basehit when Stars right fielder MATT YOUNG slipped and fell on the turf at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. allowing two runs to score.

But in the home-half of the inning, Stars shortstop ROBBY SCOTT accepted a one-out walk, catcher MATT POWELL advanced him into scoring position to potentially tie the game with a ground ball. However, the strategy to knot the contest proved moot when Stoner slammed a 1-1 pitch over the barrier in left field.

From The Wichita Eagle:

Stoner used his time in the on-deck circle. He watched Valley Center pitcher Scott Wingo and learned enough to expect a fastball on a 1-1 count.

"He was telegraphing his pitches," Stoner said. "He held the fastball on his hip and put it straight in his glove and I sat fastball. I felt the catcher on the inside of the plate and let it go from there."

Stoner, Scott and Young paced the Stars (34-9) with three hits each. Stoner also knocked in five runs, while second baseman ANTHONY LONG and catcher MATT POWELL registered a pair of RBI each. Powell went 2-for-5 at the plate, matching the totals of center fielder CLIFTON THOMAS as part of a 17-hit attack.

A pair of Stars pitchers failed to get out of the first two innings, including a 7-run Diamond Dawgs outburst in the 2nd to mount an 8-run lead. However, CORY CARUSO emerged from the bullpen by tossing 7 2/3 innings of stellar relief to gain his second victory of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Valley Center bullpen yielded seven runs (six earned) in 2 1/3 innings to get eliminated from the event.

With the triumph, the Stars gain entry into the money round of the 32-team event. They will meet the winner of the late Monday night game between the Gunnison (Colo.) Colts and the Seattle Studs. The game will be played Tuesday at 10 p.m. CT.


Stars enjoy slammin' good time

© East County Sports.com
WICHITA, Kan. (8-9-10) –– Southern Nazarene University left fielder ADAM BIES, a collegiate teammate of San Diego Stars' SHAIN STONER, who was obtained specifically for the 76th National Baseball Congress World Series, proved to be a worthy pick-up.

In the 4th inning, Bies bombed a grand slam to lift the Stars to a 12-1 lambasting of the Austin (Texas) Gold Sox in a challenger bracket, third-round game Sunday (Aug. 8) at Lawrence Dumont Stadium.

The contest was called after five innings because of the mercy rule, which could prove critical should the Stars (33-9) keep advancing in the 32-team event by preserving their pitching staff.

CLIFTON THOMAS also scored three times and knocked in a trio of runs, including a pair on a 2nd-inning triple. Thomas then opened the 4th with a double to cap a 3-for-4 outing at the plate, then stole third base before scoring on a ROBBY SCOTT basehit.

One out later, MICHAEL LANGE and Stoner accepted walks to load the bases, then Bies lined the first pitch over the barrier in left field.

The slam meant Stars starting pitcher ANTONIO DIAZ could be lifted after just four innings, yet still register the victory. Diaz yielded just a run on three hits, with NICK QUEZADA recorded the final three outs.

Meanwhile, Scott matched Thomas in batting 3-for-4, while MATT YOUNG and ADRIAN BRAVO-CARMONA added a pair of hits each to pace a 14-hit attack.

The Stars next meet the Valley Center (Kan.) Diamond Dawgs on Monday at 5 p.m. CT.
In the clutch, Stars eliminate Hutchinson, 5-4

© East County Sports.com
WICHITA, Kan. (8-8-10) –– FRANK CERVANTES pitched 7 1/3 innings of relief, stranding the potential game-tying run at second base in the 9th inning, allowing the San Diego Stars to hold on to Saturday's (Aug. 7) 5-4 verdict over the Hutchinson (Kan.) Monarchs in challenger bracket play at the 76th National Baseball Congress World Series.

Cervantes registered a strike out then a soft fly ball to left fielder ANTHONY WILLIAMS to cap the victory.

The Stars (32-9) snapped a 3-3 tie with a pair of runs in the 9th, with CLIFTON THOMAS barely scoring the go-ahead run against the Mid-Kansas Collegiate Regional champion.

Thomas opened the frame with a pinch-hit single, then moved to third base on a SHAIN STONER infield single and a throwing error by the Monarchs' second baseman.

ANTHONY LONG followed with a ground ball to second, but the throw home was just a touch late, with Thomas sliding around the catcher for a 4-3 advantage. Stoner later scored on a wild pitch.

A tiring Cervantes walked a pair in the 9th, with a wild pitch allowing Hutchinson to close the gap before the reliever recorded the final pair of outs. Cervantes allowed just four hits from out of the bullpen.

The teams traded a pair of runs in the 1st. The Stars runs came on a double by MATT POWELL to score ROBBY SCOTT, then MICHAEL LANGE singled home Powell.

The other Stars run came in the 5th when Scott delivered a two-out single to bring in TIM SCHALCH.

Stars management, in its annual war with NBC officials, was upset after Saturday's scheduled 1 p.m. start was moved to 8 a.m. by the tournament committee on Friday night. And now the Stars get another early wake-up call for Sunday with an 8 a.m. affair with the Austin (Texas) Gold Sox.

In other NBC action, the San Diego Force was eliminated by the Kenai Peninsula (Alaska) Oilers, 3-1. The Oilers were in the tournament after Alaska Baseball League champion Fairbanks Goldpanners pulled out on the eve of the tournament opener.

Meanwhile, the San Diego Waves played the late Saturday (scheduled to start at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday) ballgame against Play Ball Sports of Colorado, falling 9-6 to join the Force on the sidelines after getting eliminated.


Short-handed Stars spiked by Studs Boxscore

© East County Sports.com

WICHITA, Kan. (8-6-10) –– The San Diego Stars, suddenly short-handed entering just the second round of the National Baseball Congress World Series, knew they needed to play their best against the powerful Seattle Studs.-

However, the Studs are stronger than ever, entering the contest with a remarkable 46-5 record this summer. And they proved to be tough in the very first inning.

Stars starting pitcher JEREMY LAUB was chased for four runs without registering an out in a 5-run Studs outburst, racing the Pacific International League titlists to a 10-1 victory Thursday (Apr. 5) at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

The Stars were already missing expected starter MICAH SPENCER, but was on a plane out of town after signing a professional contract following the team's arrival for the 76th renewal of the championship.

And when a player on loan from the Heroes of the Diamond military all-star team quit the team midway through Tuesday's NBC opener for the Stars, holes were suddenly located on the mound, in their batting order and on defense.

Laub, a last-minute replacement for Spencer, exited early following a hit batsman, a pair of walks, then a grand slam by designated hitter Kevin Corrigan. The Stars then needed to utilize another starting pitcher from a diluted staff to pick up the pieces, with KEVIN McCLAUGHERY summoned for 4 1/3 innings of emergency relief.

However, except for a single run when ROBBY SCOTT singled home CLIFTON THOMAS in the home-half of the 1st, Studs pitcher J.T. Zink waltzed comfortably with the big lead throughout his complete-game effort.

Zink struck out three without issuing a walk in tossing an 8-hitter. Second baseman ANTHONY LONG and catcher MATT POWELL provided two hits each for the Stars (31-9).

The Stars advance to the challenger bracket, meeting the Hutchinson (Kan.) Monarchs on Saturday at a time to be determined.


Stars shoot down Angels in NBC Opener Boxscore

© East County Sports.com
WICHITA, Kan. (8-3-10) –– Registering a season-high 22 hits, the San Diego Stars opened the 76th National Baseball Congress World Series by skating past the Columbia (Texas) Angles, 13-6, in Tuesday's (Aug. 3) first-round ballgame at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

The top three hitters in the batting order for the Stars – second baseman ANTHONY LONG, centerfielder CLIFTON THOMAS, and shortstop ROBBY LONG – registered three hits each to build early leads of 5-1 and 8-3. Left fielder ANTHONY WILLIAMS also knocked in three runs for the Stars (31-8 overall).

Meanwhile, a pair of CSU San Bernardino players added strong efforts. First baseman MICHAEL LANGE (Steele Canyon) belted a 2-run homer in a 2-for-4, three RBI outing from the cleanup spot. And starting pitching CORY CARUSO tossed 5 2/3 strong innings in the 97-degree, 90-percent humidity conditions to gain the victory.

The Stars next meet long-time rival Seattle Studs, which downed the Plaza Tire (Mo.) Capahas, 8-2. The second-round contest will be played Thursday.


Stars roll with role-reversal

© East County Sports.com
ESCONDIDO (7-21-10) –– One reason many ballplayers participate in summer baseball programs is simply to get in work they failed to receive during the college season, seeking opportunities to develop and improve.

One such member of the San Diego Stars is relief pitcher ANTONIO DIAZ, who has made steady improvement in his 19 innings of work. So given the opportunity to start in Tuesday's (July 20) Western Baseball Association contest, Diaz may soon be viewed differently by both collegiate and professional scouts.

Diaz carried a perfect game into the 4th inning, tossing 2-hit ball in his six innings of work. PETE MALLOY, normally a leader in the Stars starting rotation, followed with a rare appearance out of the bullpen to register a 3-inning save, pacing the Stars to an 8-1 triumph over the host San Diego Waves at Escondido High School

The win gives the Stars (28-7 overall, 13-2 WBA South) a 5-2 season-series advantage over the second-place Waves, including a 3-1 mark in league play.

Diaz needed a mere 28 pitches to nail the first nine Waves batters through the opening three innings, then retired the leadoff batter in the 4th. His lone mistake followed when Drake Fages tagged a hanging curveball down the left-field line for a solo homer.

However, the Stars answered with a 7-run deluge in the 7th to chase the shutout bid of Waves starter Chris Brookey, who tossed six solid frames with his own curve. The outburst was capped by a 2-run basehit by left fielder ANTHONY WILLIAMS, who collected two of the Stars' 11 hits.

Malloy then entered, stopping the Waves on just one hit. He struck out four batters, retiring the final five batters. He was backed by a nice defensive stop by second baseman ANTHONY LONG, who made a nice dive to prevent a ball from skipping into right field, then firing to Malloy covering at first base to end the 7th.

The Stars complete WBA play on Wednesday against the San Diego Mavericks, starting at 5 p.m. The team then plays five non-league games over the weekend to complete the regular season, including a home doubleheader with the Los Angeles Thrashers on Sunday at noon.

Stars Bursts – The Stars announced they will enter the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan., instead of offering a competing event. The Stars to open tournament play on Mon., Aug. 2, the fourth day of the 76th annual event.


Stars go Old School, clinch WBA title

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-19-10) — The San Diego Stars needed to revert to its old ways to claim another baseball championship.

Buoyed by a pair of home runs by BRIAN SOS, plus a 2-run shot by SHAIN STONER, the Stars clinched their fifth Western Baseball Association pennant in seven seasons after pasting the San Diego Waves, 9-5, in the second game of Sunday's (July 18) doubleheader at Stars Field.

The Waves captured the opener, 16-5 in 7 innings, making life dicey for the Stars, knowing the Waves needed to sweep the 3-game series for a shot at stealing the crown. However, ROBBY SCOTT slugged a 2-run single in the 3rd inning for a 4-0 lead in the nightcap before the Old School power display.

Sos opened the 4th with a towering homer to left field to counter three Waves runs which trimmed the lead to 4-3. Then in the 5th, Stoner and Sos went back-to-back – Stoner hit a 2-run shot to left, then Sos went to the opposite field in right – to make it 9-3.

JEREMY LAUB tossed eight solid innings for the Stars (27-7 overall, 12-2 WBA South). Laub allowed just four hits, then TAYLOR KLUGMAN pitched the 9th, gaining the final out when shortstop ROBBY SCOTT flagged a ball in the hole, yet was able to toss the ball to ANTHONY WILLIAMS at third base for a fielder's choice tag out.


Stars on precipice of title

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-16-10) — Cal Lutheran product GABE WARD produced his best pitching effort in an undefeated summer season, moving the San Diego Stars to within a game of a league championship.

Ward toss a complete-game 3-hitter with eight strikeouts to run his record to 4-0, lifting the Stars past the San Diego Force, 5-1, in Western Baseball Association action Thursday (July 15) at Stars Field.

The Stars (26-6 overall, 10-1 WBA South) need only to win just one of three upcoming ballgames against the second-place San Diego Waves to clinch the ballclub's fifth league title in seven seasons. The loss also eliminated the Force from title consideration after Ward's effort capped a 5-game regular season sweep from the defending South Division titlist.

The only run allowed came without the aid of a basehit, as Devon King (walk, stolen base) beat the throw to the plate on an infield grounder. However, Stars second baseman ANTHONY LONG later was the pivot man on a pair of Stars double plays to aid Ward's effort.

Long also produced a pair of Stars runs. He tripled and scored on a SHAIN STONER sacrifice fly in the 5th, then lifted his own sac fly in the 9th, one of three such scoring plays.

The first came off the bat of DEREK BAUM in the 2nd inning to give the Stars an early 2-0 lead. The sac fly immediately followed a run-scoring basehit by JAKE SAVICKI, allowing BRIAN SOS to score the first of his two runs on the humid afternoon.

Slavic also doubled home Sos in the 4th in a 2-for-3 outing. Meanwhile, shortstop ROBBY SCOTT batted 2-for-3 with a pair of walks, moving his average to within grasp of the ,400 plateau, second on the club to the .407 mark of MICHAEL LANGE.

Stars Bursts – Friday's game with the Lake Elsinore Caps has been cancelled so Stars players and staff members can attend the funeral of Chelsea Jenner, 19, the sister of infielder GARRETT JENNER, who is on-loan to the Heroes of the Diamond national touring team. She was lost in an auto accident in Alpine last Saturday.


NBC Western Regional, Playback Final:
San Diego Waves at San Diego Stars
(Slideshow by Gary Sos)
Stars defend NBC West crown

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-6-10) –– The San Diego Stars semipro baseball club defended its National Baseball Congress Western Regional title after downing arch-rival San Diego Waves, 6-1, in Sunday's (July 5) playback final at Stars Field.

SAL RAMIREZ, making only his second appearance of the season, tossed five solid innings in a starting role to collect the victory, After allowing an early run in the 1st inning, he settled in and yielded just three hits during his stint. BRANDON BELL and JEREMY LAUB followed to blank the Waves over the final four frames, as the trio combined on a 5-hitter.

The Stars (22-6 overall) answered the Waves early marker with four runs in the bottom of the 1st.

With the bases loaded, designated hitter Michael Lange punched a 2-run single to right field, scoring both Robby Scott (lead walk) and Clifton Thomas (single) for a 2-1 advantage.

Taylor Eichhorst followed with an RBI single to bring home Kevin Lovelace (walk), But when the Waves left fielder booted the ball, Lange also scored for a 4-1 cushion.

Jake Savicki added a pinch-hit triple in the 5th, bringing home Scott, who batted 2-for-3 with a walk. It was Savicki's club-leading 6th triple of the summer campaign.

Catcher Dallas Martin added an insurance run in the 8th with a base hit, scoring Chris Allen.

The Waves forced the playback final after winning twice earlier in the day.

In the challenger bracket final, the Waves eliminated the San Diego Shockers, 4-1, then they nipped the Stars, 4-3, in the first game of the championship round despite a 150-pitch, complete-game effort by Stars starter Pete Malloy. Lange also registered a pair of RBI singles.

The loss was the first setback in the regional for the Stars, who captured the winners bracket on Sunday over the Waves, 2-1.

'With the tournament victory, the Stars earned a berth to the NBC World Series, slated for August 2-15 in Wichita, Kan.

The Stars will play the Poway Thunder on Friday at 5 p.m.


Ward claims pitchers' duel, Stars advance to title contest

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-5-10) — The San Diego Stars will get two chances to defend its National Baseball Congress West Regional title thanks to the arm of pitcher GABE WARD.

After allowing a game-opening single, Ward, a product of Cal Lutheran, then lasted 7 1/3 innings without allowing a basehit, leading the Stars to a 2-1 triumph over the San Diego Waves in Sunday's (July 4) winners bracket final at Stars Field.

Ward faced just two batters above the minimum through seven frames in a scoreless pitchers' duel with Waves left-hander Chris Brookey until Stars veteran BRIAN SOS broke through in the 6th inning.

Following a leadoff walk to KEVIN LOVELACE, a pair of Stars batters were unable to advance Lovelace, who was making his first start at second base. However, Sos delivered with a drive which short-hopped the wall in dead-center field, with Lovelace circumnavigating the diamond on the booming double.

Sos later scored when SHAIN STONER, who gained a rare start at third base, saw his fly ball dropped for a 2-0 advantage.

Ward then survived a series of three singles in the 8th, capped by an RBI basehit by Tim Zier, then a Stars error in the 9th to collect the victory. The left-hander struck out three and walked two.

In his complate-game effort, Ward was backed by a pair of double plays, both started by Stars shortstop ROBBY SCOTT. For the Waves, Zier registered a pair of diving catches at second base to maintain the scoreless tie in the early going. Zier also collected half of the Waves' four hits.

For the Stars, right fielder JAKE SAVICKI batted 2-for-3, while Lovelace went 1-for-2 and walked twice.

The Stars (21-5 overall) will play in the 1 p.m. championship round. Since it was just the first loss for the Waves, they play in the 9:30 a.m. challenger bracket final against the San Diego Shockers. A playback final, if needed, is slated for 4:30 p.m.


Stars prove to be armed and ready

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-4-10) — The ways of semipro baseball sometimes show restrictions on the availability of your players, due to a job or other commitments.

So when San Diego Stars manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN realized that his top two choices for Saturday's (July 3) starting pitching assignment would be late scratches, the skipper needed to go with a pair of young arms.

And for the better.

Behind five solid innings by last-minute starter JEREMY LAUB, then four frames of relief by seldom-used RICKY NORTON, the Stars staved a late rally by the West Coast Storm to claim an 8-6 decision in the winners bracket semifinal of the National Baseball Congress Western Regional.

The Stars will host NBC Southern California Regional champion San Diego Waves in Sunday's winner's bracket final, slated for 4:30 p.m. at Stars Field. The Waves advance after whipping Western Baseball Association rival San Diego Force, 13-5.

Deutschman was pleased with his young guns. Laub sat down 15 of the first 18 batters he faced, while Norton closed with three innings of 1-hit ball (an infield single) to move his ballclub within a game of a money round berth.

"Both guys haven't thrown many innings this summer," said Deutschman. "But both went as hard as they could for as long as they could, proving to be good enough."

As a spot starter, Laub has proven effective for about 60 pitches before hitting a bit of a wall. And against the Storm, Laub yielded just a run on two hits in five solid innings of work.

However, in the 6th, immediately after hitting the magic 60 number, Deutschman quickly pulled Laub following a pair of walks to load the bases with no one out.

Enter Norton, who sat on the bench with another program for more than three weeks before asking for his release and hooking on with the Stars. Entering from the bullpen, Norton owned a single inning of work all summer in a mop-up roll the previous day in a pasting of Heroes of the Diamond.

"It wasn't my best effort – I'll get better," said Norton, who was all smiles after switching from a last-place program to one which now sports a 20-5 overall record in the Stars.

Deutschman was doing anything but complaining, too.

"The first time we saw him throw a bullpen, we couldn't believe his previous team never used him," said Deutschman. "Ricky's got a ton of talent."

Although the Storm scored in the 6th-inning rally, Norton quelled the opponent to maintain the Stars' lead, eventually collecting his first career save.

The Stars mounted an early 5-0 advantage.

In the 1st inning, then scored without the aid of a basehit. ANTHONY LONG accepted a leadoff walk, stole second base, took third on a deep fly ball, then scored on a ground out by ROBBY SCOTT.

In the 3rd, the Stars scored four times, as Long singled home the first run to plate ANTHONY WILLIAMS (single, stolen base),

CLIFTON THOMAS, better known for his speed on the basepaths, then bombed his second homer of the summer to deep right field. The shot ended a mild 1-for-9 slump and lifted the ballclub to a 4-0 lead.

Scott, who would later add an RBI double in the 5th, followed with a walk, scoring on an ensuing double by designated hitter MICHAEL LANGE.

Long, Thomas, Lange and Williams all collected two hits each, but the team leader was left fielder SHAIN STONER, who batted 3-for-5 and scored an important insurance run in the 8th on a Williams basehit.


Heroes of the Diamond at San Diego Stars
(Slideshow by Gary Sos)

Two-year layoff fails to stop Martin
Stars advance to NBC regional Final Four

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-3-10) — The San Diego Stars feature depth at almost every position, yet the reserves to catcher DEREK BAUM are younger players in need of additional seasoning.

However, the Stars' search for another backstop may have ended when a member of the ballclub called upon one of his old high school teammates.

"I immediately thought about DALLAS MARTIN," said Stars outfielder RYAN BROSNAN. "He told me that he hadn't played in two years, but was willing to give it a try."

And with the Stars set to meet a depleted opponent in the military-based Heroes of the Diamond – most members of the international travel club were still on the East Coast – Stars manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN thought he'd throw the Santana High product into the fire.

Did somebody say two years or two days?

With former Sultans coach JERRY HENSON in attendance, Hubbard deposited the third pitch he saw over the left-field fence for a 2-run, 1st-inning homer, then he added a 2-run single in the 3rd inning during a 4-for-4 performance, pacing the Stars to an easy 18-3 decision.

The triumph, coupled with a 13-3 victory over the Lake Elsinore Caps earlier in the day, lifted the Stars (19-5 overall) into the winners bracket semifinals of the National Baseball Congress West Regional tournament.

The Stars will meet the West Coast Storm (Costa Mesa) in Saturday's (July 3) 4:30 p.m. Final Four ballgame.

ADRIAN BRINGAS went 3-for-3 plus a sacrifice fly, while NICK SPEARS came off the bench to also go 3-for-3. Bringas also batted 2-for-4 with four RBI in the opener, backing the pitching of starter LUCAS WHITMORE, who yielded just a pair of basehits over 8 dominate innings.

Baum, before getting rested in the second game, batted 2-for-4 and drove in a pair against the Caps. ANTHONY LONG went 3-for-4 with three runs and a pair of RBI, while MICHAEL LANGE smacked a 3-run homer in the 9th to cap the blowout.


Stars depth provides late push

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-1-10) — Several opponents have stated that the bench of the San Diego Stars may be good enough to defeat a majority of the semipro baseball clubs in California.

On Wednesday (June 30), those players provided the firepower to put away the San Diego Force, effectively eliminating them from the Western Baseball Association pennant chase.

NBC Qualifier
4th of July
Tournament

BRACKET
TAYLOR EICHHORST came off the bench and went 2-for-2 at the plate, including a booming double, while former Pacific Coast Athletic Conference player of the year ADRIAN BRINGAS belted a pinch-hit double in his first appearance of the season, powering the Stars to a 7-2 pasting.

The triumph expanded the Stars lead to three full games over the San Diego Waves in the WBA South Division (pending Wednesday's late Waves-Heroes of the Diamond contest).

"As a manager, to have the depth we have on our bench is really a special situation," said Stars manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN. "We even had a player who was thinking team first and took himself out when he felt sick, yet we stick someone else in there and didn't miss a beat."

Eichhorst opened the 7th inning with his pinch-hit double, eventually scoring the team's fifth unearned run to take a 5-0 lead when a roller by catcher DEREK BAUM was booted.

But in the 8th, the Stars needed no assistance.

Bringas bombed a shot to the wall in right-center field, scoring CHRIS ALLEN, who walked as a leadoff pinch-hitter. Eichhorst, finally getting healthy following a wrist injury, followed with a line single to right to bring home Bringas for a 7-0 lead.

Meanwhile, the Force sat several of their regulars after managing just four runs on nine hits in two previous WBA setbacks to the Stars. However, Stars pitchers GABE WARD (6 innings) and JEREMY LAUB (2 innings) combined for a 3-hit shutout until the Force avoided the shutout with a pair of 9th-inning runs.

Then the Force defense was affected by the changes, committing four errors, including three in the 3rd (two on one play) when the Stars scored four times on a just one hit – an infield single by Baum.

Included was a grounder off the bat of CLIFTON THOMAS, but the Force shortstop "matadored" the ball for the first error, then the center fielder overran the roller to allow Thomas reach third base as ANTHONY WILLIAMS and ANTHONY LONG both came home to open the scoring.

ROBBY SCOTT walked, then tried to steal second base. But when the throw went through the diamond, Thomas burst home to score on the double-steal.

On the relay throw back to the plate, the ball went to the backstop to give Scott third base. He would score to make it 4-0 on a ground ball by BRIAN SOS.

Ward needed little other assistance. Despite walking fiver batters, Ward struck out three and allowed just a pair of basehit.

While the Force defense collapsed, the Stars completed a pair of double plays. But the biggest defensive stop set the tone for the ballgame in the 1st.

Following a game-opening walk to BRANDON DECKER, the Granite Hills High product took second base on a wild pitch, then tried to score on a basehit by another former Eagle in JOSH MILLER. However, Williams collected the ball in right field and fired a strike to Baum at the plate to easily nail Decker by 8-10 feet.

The Stars (17-5 overall, 8-1 WBA) will now take a 2-week break from league play. They will entertain the Lake Elsinore Caps in Friday's opening round of the National Baseball Congress West Regional. Game time has been moved up to 1:30 p.m.

The NBC qualifier event continues through Monday (June 5), with the championship round slated for 1 p.m. The Stars are the defending champions.
Stars claim 1st-place showdown
Malloy moves to 4-0 with 4-hitter

© East County Sports.com
ESCONDIDO (6-30-10) — For the San Diego Stars, there were just two words to describe Tuesday's (June 29) victory over the San Diego Waves to determine the leader of the Western Baseball Association.

"Pete Malloy," said Stars assistant coach MARIO KNORR. "If we wasn't for Pedro, we wouldn't be where we are."

The Stars current location: first place.

Following a 3-1 decision, the Stars now hold a 2 1/2 game lead over the Waves – the only teams with winning records among South Division ballclubs – as the WBA summer schedule hit the midway point.

Malloy carried a 2-hit shutout into the 9th inning, finishing with a 4-hitter. The Stars veteran struck out six, including all three Waves batters in the 8th inning, and walked just one to raise his record to 4-0 in front of representatives from the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau.

Many of the scouts were on hand to see CLIFTON THOMAS, who turned a team mistake into a run in the 1st inning.

Following consecutive basehits by ANTHONY LONG and Thomas put runners on the corners to open the game, Stars personnel mentioned after the game that some thought a hit-and-run was on, while others believed a sign was given for a double-steal.

So when Thomas got caught off first base, his speed was able to force six throws in a rundown, giving Long an opportunity to race home for the game's opening run.

In the 7th, a pair of opening singles by ROBBY SCOTT and BRIAN SOS, followed by a walk to SHAIN STONER, loaded the bases with no outs.

The Stars then scored twice on a walk to catcher DEREK BAUM, followed by a sacrifice fly to the warning track in left field by pinch-hitter ANTHONY WILLIAMS against the Waves bullpen.

Stoner collected two of the Stars' six hits, while Baum walked three times.

The Stars return home on Wednesday (June 30), hosting the San Diego Force at Stars Field starting at 5 p.m. On Tuesday, the sinking Force fell in 11 innings to the San Diego Mavericks, 2-1, falling to within a half-game of the last-place Mavs.


Thomas enjoying the spotlight

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-25-10) — Less than 24 hours after serving as the subject in a San Diego Union Tribune feature story, San Diego Stars center fielder CLIFTON THOMAS posted his biggest effort of the 2010 summer season.

Thomas, a product of El Cajon Valley High, batted 3-for-5 with a solo homer and three RBI, pacing the Stars to a 7-5 triumph over the San Diego Force in Thursday's (June 24) Western Baseball Association contest at Stars Field.

While the sudden stroke of power with his 4th-inning blast may have been surprising, Thomas also stayed with the script with a basehit and a pair of stolen bases in the 1st, leading to the game's opening run in the Stars' wire-to-wire victory.

Thomas later added a sacrifice fly in the 2nd for a 3-0 lead, then stroked a key insurance run in the 8th after the Force trimmed a 6-2 deficit into a 6-5 nail-biter before Thomas knocked in ANTHONY LONG, who blasted a lead triple to chase a Force pitcher.

Thomas followed with his key, line single on the very first pitch off Joshua Pond.

Meanwhile, the Stars received strong relief from JOHN BASNIGHT, who survived a pair of early walks in the 7th in tossing three innings of 1-hit ball to garner his first save of the season. The victory went to KEVIN McCLAUGHRY, who allowed just a single hit in his five innings, capped a streak of solid pitching by Stars pitchers this week.

"It was a big, 3-game series for us," said Stars coach MARIO KNORR, who took over the managerial reigns this week while Stars skipper MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN was on assignment. "We saw three really effective starts by our left-handers in every ballgame, then Basnight picked us up with three strong innings out of the bullpen."

Following victories over Heroes of the Diamond by PETE "Pedro" MALLOY, and the San Diego Mavericks by GABE WARD, McClaughry dominated the Force in the early going. He struck out five of the first six batters he faced, then was tagged for an unearned run in the 3rd.

Conversely, the Stars scored over each of the first five innings.

ROBBY SCOTT started the scoring parade, singling Thomas home in the 1st. Scott later smacked a double and a triple, falling just a homer short of hitting for the cycle.

SHAIN STONER added an RBI double to plate TAYLOR EICHHORST (walk) in the 1st. He later bombed a lead triple in the 5th, scoring on a line single to left by BRIAN SOS.

Thomas and DEREK BAUM lifted sacrifice flies in the 2nd and 3rd, respectfully, then Thomas went deep to right field in the 4th.

Among the 13 hits by the Stars (15-3 overall, 6-1 WBA), eight went for extra bases.

For the Force, right fielder JULIO TORRES batted 3-for-4 and scored twice.

The Stars take a rare Saturday off, returning to action Sunday in a 1 p.m. doubleheader against WBA North Division rival East Los Angeles Dodgers at Stars Field.


Back from injury, Lovelace leads Stars past Mavericks, 10-3

© East County Sports.com
SCRIPPS RANCH (6-24-10) — In mid-April, with KEVIN LOVELACE starting at shortstop, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) built a school-record 31-2 mark, gaining the No. 1 ranking in NAIA baseball.

And things kept improving for the product of San Pasqual High and Central Arizona College. In an Apr. 11 doubleheader against Willamette, Lovelace, the Warriors leadoff batter, went 3-for-4 with two runs and four RBI in the opener, then came off the bench to belt a 2-run, pinch-hit single in the second contest.

A few days later, a single miss-step ended the season for the .317 hitter. On the ensuing roadtrip to British Columbia while on a morning jog, Lovelace somehow fell to the ground, dislocating his kneecap.

Two months later, Lovelace looked in mid-season form for the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team. For the second straight ballgame, Lovelace registered a multi-hit outing, keying the Stars to a 10-3 pasting of the San Diego Mavericks in Western Baseball Association action at Alliant International University.

On Wednesday (Apr. 23), Lovelace stroked an RBI double to bring home ANTHONY LONG (lead single, stolen base) for a quick 1-0 lead. Lovelace added a second double to set-up a 7-run outburst in the 6th to snap a 1-1 deadlock, then sent a grounder to the right side for another run in the 8th.

Throw in a 2-for-2 (plus a walk) outing in Tuesday's 12-0 run-rule route of Heroes of the Diamond, Lovelace is now batting .571 out of the gate for the Stars (14-3 overall, 4-1 WBA South).

Designated hitter NICK SPEARS went 3-for-3 with a double, then right fielder JAKE SAVICKI pounded his sixth triple in the 6th, driving in a pair of runs to cap the outburst. The triple also chased Mavericks starting pitcher Raymond Musgrove, who pitched just three innings as a senior at Poway High in 2008, but has since developed an effective changeup.

Meanwhile, Stars starting pitcher GABE WARD survived an extended pitch count with seven solid innings to collect the victory. He struck out eight and walked just two batters.

For the Mavericks (record unknown; information not listed on team or league website), left fielder Mike Booth batted 3-for-4 plus a walk, including a game-tying basehit in the 3rd.

The Stars, which own an 11-2 home-field record, meet the San Diego Force at 5 p.m. Thursday at Stars Field.


Malloy motors Stars past Force

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-16-10) — In a match-up between the last two South Division champions of the Western Baseball Association, the San Diego Stars took the upper hand in the 2010 series. Powered by a complete-game 4-hitter by PETE MALLOY, the Stars took a wire-to-wire 4-1 triumph over the San Diego Force in Tuesday's (June 15) showdown at Stars Field.

San Diego Force at San Diego Stars
(Slideshow by Gary Sos)
Malloy needed just 107 pitches in his masterpiece. Among the four hits allowed, one was quickly erased when right fielder JAKE SAVICKI knocked down a basehit to the gap, deflecting the ball to center fielder CLIFTON THOMAS, who fired a strike to ANTHONY LONG at second base to nail a Force batter who attempted to take an extra base.

The Stars defense also turned a double play to offset an error in the second inning, then Savicki raced deep into the right field corner to snare another Force drive to aid Malloy.

"Jake made an outstanding effort even to get to the ball," said Stars manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN. "In fact, all three of our outfielders made great efforts today."

A near-miss by Stars left fielder ALLEN BOYER saw him race from the gap to the line, only to short-hop a basehit. However, he still made a dive to glove the ball and limit a Force batter to a single on a liner which normally goes for two bases.

"Of all the teams we've had, this easily has the most speed," added Deutschman. "And it's not just running the bases, but making plays in the field, too, like Boyer's"

Speed on the basepaths led to a 1st-inning run for the Stars, which is celebrating its 30th season of semipro action.

ANTHONY LONG walked to start the Stars attack, then registered the first of his two stolen bases on the day, giving him 14 thefts in just 10 ballgames this season.

Boyer followed with a ground ball to the right side to advance Long to third, then shortstop ROBBY SCOTT lifted a sacrifice fly to left to plate Long for a 1-0 lead just three batters into the game.

The Stars added three runs in the 5th for a 4-0 lead. The outburst featured an RBI single by Long. Moments later, when Long stole his second base, the ball went through the infield, allowing Thomas to score from third base on the double steal.

That was all Malloy would need. The left-hander struck out six and walked just one, allowing just an unearned run in the 9th in just missing a shutout.

Following an error, the run came home on a sacrifice fly by TRAVIS TAIJERON (Granite Hills). Taijeron also doubled in the 7th, one of only three Force runners to reach second base all afternoon.

The victory moved the Stars to 9-1 against semipro teams this season, 2-1 in the WBA South. Heroes of the Diamond (the former San Diego Marines ballclub) are also listed at 2-1, but the team's last three games have not been reported (so the Stars may or may not be in first place).

Meanwhile, the Force list its record at 15-2, yet include four exhibitions from the Stars' Memorial Day Weekend preseason tournament in the mark, plus a pair of forfeits (although one was canceled by WBA commissioner John Marsh). By traditional record-keeping methods utilized over recent seasons, the Force should be 7-2 (1-1 WBA).

Both ballclubs could meet again on Friday, placed in the same half of the draw in the National Baseball Congress Southern California Regional. The event opens Thursday, as the Stars host the Poway Thunder at noon, with the winner meeting the Rancho Belago Rockets at 3:30 p.m.

Should the Stars and Force go undefeated on Day One, they would meet in Friday's 4:30 p.m. quarterfinals, also at Stars Field.

Stars Bursts – Force second baseman LOUIS CAZARES, a starter for the Granite Hills High CIF Division I championship team in 2007, accepted a baseball scholarship to play for Cal State Bakersfield, which recently elevated its program to NCAA Division I status... Cazares was a two-time, all-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference selection at San Diego City College, where he was recipient of the 2010 Harry West Scholarship.
South Bay Saints at San Diego Stars
(Slideshow by Gary Sos)

Stars enter Thursday's NBC regional;
Rockets lose manager Derrel Thomas

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-14-10) — The San Diego Stars will enter Thursday's opening round of the NBC Southern California regional with a home game against the Poway Thunder at noon at Stars Field. The winner will meet the Rancho Belago Rockets in the 3:30 p.m. quarterfinals of the double-elimination event.

However, the Rockets will visit the county without manager DERREL THOMAS, a former MLB pro who played 15 years with six teams in the majors, including five with the Los Angeles Dodgers and four with the San Diego Padres.

Thomas resigned due to personal health concerns.

Stars score another sweep

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-14-10) — SHAIN STONER and NICK SPEARS, who each gained NAIA All-America honors at Southern Nazarene (Okla.) this past spring, fueled the San Diego Stars offense en route to a Western Baseball Association doubleheader sweep of the South Bay Saints.

Stoner batted 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles, while Spears homered in his first home appearance of the season, powering the Stars to a 12-4 victory in the opener.

Game Two saw CLIFTON THOMAS drive in three runs in an 8-6 triumph.

In the 2nd inning, Stoner singled then registered the first of seven stolen bases by the Stars in the opener to start a 3-run rally. Stoner would score on an ANTHONY WILLIAMS grounder, followed by consecutive RBI hits by DEREK BAUM (single) and JAKE SAVICKI, who powered his club-leading fourth triple of the season.

Spears followed with his blast to left field in the 3rd inning. He would later add a sacrifice fly in the 6th, when the Stars busted the contest open with six runs, then a run-scoring single in the 8th. Spears registered three RBI in each ballgame.

Meanwhile, starting pitcher ANTONIO DIAZ tossed six solid innings to gain his first win of the season. He allowed just two runs and seven hits to the Saints, the summer team for Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Among Thomas' three hits in the second game included a 2-run single in the 5th to break a 1-1 tie. But when the Saints center fielder allowed the ball to skip under him and to the wall, Thomas circumnavigated the diamond on a 3-run play for a 4-1 lead.

Spears again knocked in three runs, including a 2-run single in the 8th.

Third baseman STEPHEN JOHNSON also extended his hitting streak to nine with singles in both contests..

ALLEN WHEELER and TAYLOR KLUGMAN each tossed four strong innings, then Stars veteran BRIAN SOS, in a rare appearance on the mound, survived a pair of errors which led to two unearned runs in pitching the 9th.

Otherwise, the Stars defense turned three double plays, while Thomas nailed a runner trying to take an extra base to score, throwing out the Saints runner from right field.

The Stars (8-1) host defending WBA South Division champion San Diego Force on Tuesday (June 15) at 5 p.m.


Stars are back in the saddle again

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-11-10) — In most any major motion picture, why are the gun-fighters in a western all right-handed?

When it comes to the San Diego Stars, its Magnificent Seven starting pitching staff are all lefties, with two of them combining on a second straight shutout.

On Thursday (June 10), LUCAS WHITMORE and KEVIN McCLAUGHERTY yielded just six total hits, pacing the Stars to an easy 8-0 washout of the San Diego Mavericks in Western Baseball Association action at Stars Field.

Whitmore struck out nine Mavs over the first six innings to earn the victory, McClaugherty followed with 1-hit relief for the save.

"Lucas has improved since pitching for us last summer," said Stars manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN. "While Kevin is unorthodox and hides the ball well."

The pair has combined to toss 15 total innings in the early going of the summer season without allowing an earned run.

Meanwhile, the offense continues to take liberties on the basepaths by taking extra bases on basehits to the outfield or stealing bags.

Included was a snag of second base by ROBBY SCOTT following his 2-out single in the 1st inning. And when TAYLOR EICHHORST lined a 3-2 pitch to centerfield, the Stars scored the only run they would need.

"It's not only speed, but baserunning with intelligence," noted Deutschman.

Eichhorst later tripled in Scott to open a 4-run rally in the 3rd. The Christian High/Grossmont College product would come home on a basehit by 17-year Stars veteran BRIAN SOS, who once set the Griffins career RBI record some two decades ago.

The inning was capped on a 2-run single by third baseman STEPHEN JOHNSON, who now leads the ballclub with a .563 batting average.

Scott, Eichhorst and CLIFTON THOMAS finished with two hits each.

For the Mavericks (2-4 overall, 0-2 WBA), Japanese import Ryohei Kono went 3-for-3 with a double.

The Stars (4-1, 2-1 WBA) play a pair of non-league doubleheaders over the weekend. They will meet the Los Angeles Thrashers at Occidental College on Saturday (June 12), then host the South Bay Saints – the Cal State Dominguez Hills summer team – on Sunday. Both are slated for noon.


Stars are Long on production

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-7-10) — With the early focus on the return of former El Cajon Valley HS/Grossmont College standout CLIFTON THOMAS to East County after capping a succcessful collegiate career at Texas A&M-Kingsville, it is the play of another newcomer to the San Diego Stars which is equally drawing increased attention.

Making a bid to become the every day second baseman to the Stars is ANTHONY LONG, who helped San Diego City College to its first conference championship since 1993 this past season. Over the weekend, Long batted a cool .533 (8-for-15), giving the Stars a 3-1 mark to open the season, including Sunday's (June 6) doubleheader sweep of the visiting West Coast Storm of Costa Mesa in Western Baseball Association action.

Included was a 3 RBI performance in the opener, a 22-2 wipeout, which included a triple and a double. Game 2 also went to the Stars as pitchers PETE MALLOY and LUCAS WHITMORE combined on a 3-hit shutout in a 8-0 whitewash of the Storm.

"Long was amazing out there," said Stars owner/manger MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN. "We have so many good hitters right now, we could easily split into two ballclubs and still be extremely competitive. Then Anthony shows up and makes us even deeper."

Long wasted little time to get going. After Thomas accepted a leadoff walk to start it for the home team in the 1st, Long stroked a drive to the wall in right-center field for a run-scoring triple to ignite a 7-run rally.

"He's got a smooth swing with quick hands – everything you're looking for," added the skipper, who is starting his 27th season as operator of San Diego County's most successful semipro ballclub.

Long later capped the inning with a 2-run double on a looper down the left-field line, as the Stars sent 12 batters to the plate.

Long was an all-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference selection for City College, with the junior-to-be looking for a 4-year school to call home next season should he be bypassed in this week's MLB amater draft.

Meanwhile, designated hitter MICHAEL LANGE batted 4-for-5 in the doubleheader, collecting a pair of hits in each contest, while shortstop ROBBY SCOTT and catcher DEREK BAUM garnered four hits each on the day.

For the weekend, the Stars posted double figures in hits over each contest, going a collective 53-for-142 (.373) as a team.

In the shutout, Malloy yielded just one hits in facing just two batters above the minimum in his six innings of work. He only needed 62 pitches. Whitmore followed with 1-hit ball to garner a 3-inning save.

The Stars close their 6-game homestand with single games Tuesday and Thursday, first entertaining San Diego Christian College in a non-league game, then return to WBA play against the San Diego Mavericks. Both start at 5 p.m. at Stars Field at Barona.
New-look Stars off and running

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-6-10) — When Jay Leno initially took over for late-night television king Johnny Carson, his first show featured the line, "This isn't your father's Tonight Show."

The same could be said for the 2010 edition of the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team.

With a dwindling number of power hitters, the Stars now feature an array of speed burners to play havoc with opposition defenses.

In Saturday's (June 6) season-opening doubleheader with Heroes of the Diamond, the recently redesigned military all-star baseball team, the Stars ran like the wind in the opening game. Run-scoring triples by RYAN BROSNAN, JAKE SAVICKI and a bases-loaded shot by CLIFTON THOMAS accounted for six runs alone, lifting the Stars to a 17-3 demolition.

Stars bursts – Stars tthird baseman SHAIN STONER and Southern Nazarene (Okla.) teammate NICK SPEARS were recently named to the NAIA All-America first team. The Crimson Storm pair were from one of the few teams placing multiple players on the elite squad, one being NAIA national champ Cumberland.

Stoner, a 6-0 sophomore infielder, was honored as the lone first baseman on the first team.

Stoner led the team with a batting average of .478. He also led the team in RBI's with 74, slugging percentage at .906, and doubles with 21. Stoner appeared in 51 games, hitting 18 home runs and crossing the plate 66 times. Just like Spears, Stoner also was named to the All-Sooner Athletic Conference first team a few weeks ago.

Spears, a 5-10, senior, was the only shortstop honored on the first team.

This season, he hit .442 with a team leading 21 home runs, while batting in 72 runs. Spears walked 30 times and more impressively only struck out 6 times on the year. He was one of only two players on the team to play in all 52 games, which he started every one. Spears also led the team in runs scored with 67. Just a few weeks ago, Spears was named to the All-Sooner Athletic Conference first team for the second straight season.

This is the first time ever that Southern Nazarene saw two players named among the NAIA elite in the same season.

However, it was the flip-side of the running equation which opened the eyes of longtime Stars manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN after watching starting catcher DEREK BAUM, a product of Grossmont High and Palomar College, register a record performance.

Baum threw out seven runners attempting to steal in eight attempts, including a 6-for-6 performance in Game 2 of the twinbill.

"And the one runner who stole second stole it on the pitcher – Baum just showed a bunch of scouts he's got a great arm," said Deutschman. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before."

Baum gunned down a pair of runners who reached on walks in the 6th inning, then nailed a runner on a strikeout-throw-'em-out double play in the 8th.

"I just felt good today – everything just came together," said Baum, a red-shirt sophomore in college. "I came here to receive the ball, block the ball, and throw the ball, getting playing time to improve as a catcher."

And with Stars starting backstop playing on loan to the Heroes, Baum was able to catcher all 15 innings on the day.

"I'm a bit tired, but it's days like this that will allow me to really improve."

Meanwhile, the Stars offense posted 23 hits on the day, including 13 in the opener to grab the early lead in the South Division of the Western Baseball Association.

Included was Brosnan's triple to cap a 3-run outburst in the 2nd to open the scoring.
Savicki's 3-base hit capped a 5-run rally in the 3rd, then Thomas cleared the loaded bases in the 5th to help mount a 9-2 advantage, making a winner of Stars starting pitcher KEVIN McCLAUGHEY.

Thomas batted 4-for-8 on the day in his first official start for the Stars since graduating from Texas A&M-Kingsville. Savicki and ANTHONY LONG each matched Thomas' .500 start by going 3-for-6.

Meanwhile, Stars pitcher MICAH SPENCER tossed five solid innings of middle relief – only doing it for the Heroes on a loan basis. After allowing two quick runs, Spencer tossed 4 1/3 innings of 2-hit ball against his regular teammates.

The appearance against a known, strong hitting team like the Stars could enhance Spencer's chances to get drafted in next week's Major League Baseball annual selection of amateur free agents.


Stars & Stripes Memorial Day Weekend Tournament
BARONA POOL
ALLIANT POOL
Sat., May 29
San Diego Christian College 11, Gonzalez Sports Academy 8
Barona-San Diego Stars 10, San Diego Christian College 5
Sat., May 29
San Diego Force 7, Heroes of the Diamond 5
San Diego Mavericks 5, Team Point Loma 2
Sun., May 30
OC Waves 11, Gonzalez Sports Academy 2
Barona-San Diego Stars 10, OC Waves 6
Sun., May 30
SD Force 14, Team Point Loma 4
Heroes of the Diamond 15, SD Mavericks 3
Mon., May 31
10 a.m.: SD Stars df. Gonzalez Sports Academy
1:30: OC Waves df. SD Christian
Championship: SD Force 8, SD Stars 6
Mon., May 31
9 a.m.: Heroes of the Diamond df. Team Point Loma
12:30: SD Force df. SD Mavericks

Stars host Memorial Day event

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (5-28-10) — The San Diego Stars semipro baseball team will host its annual Memorial Day Weekend Stars & Stripes Tournament this weekend, with contests as both Stars Field and Alliant International University in Scripps Ranch. Ballgames will be held Saturday thru Monday, capped by a 4 p.m., title contest at Stars Field, located 1.1 miles north of Barona Valley Ranch casino.

The Stars, the Western Regional champion of the National Baseball Congress, will host three teams in its pool, including San Diego Christian College (Sat., 3:30 p.m.), Orange County Waves (Sun., 3:30 p.m.) and the Gonzalez SportsAcademy (Mon., 10 a.m.), operated by David Gonzalez, the father of San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

Ballclubs in the Alliant pool features the San Diego Force, Heroes of the Diamond (the All-U.S. Armed Forces all-star team based in Oceanside, Team Point Loma (including some players from Point Loma Nazarene Univ.), and site host San Diego Mavericks.


Former Cal Lutheran LHP Gabe Ward.
(CLU courtesy photo)

Eagles alum Ward signs pro contract

© East County Sports.com
ESCONDIDO (3-22-10) — The Barona-San Diego Stars semipro baseball team announced that former Granite Hills High and Grossmont College pitcher GABE WARD, who most recently played collegiately at Cal Lutheran, has signed a professional baseball contract with the independent Oakland County Cruisers (Waterford Township, Mich.).

The signing were announced by Stars owner/field manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN.

Ward was signed following an appearance at a Frontier League tryout camp held Mar. 13-14 at Escondido High School.

Also signed out of the camp was Stars infielder Mike McKeever, who played locally for both Poway and University of San Diego (now Cathedral Catholic) high schools. He will play for the Frontier League's Gateway Grizzlies (Sauget, Ill.).

Ward, a 6-foo-5, 215-pound, left-handed starter, was an NCAA Division III All-West Region third team selection as a junior in 2006, posting an 8-1 record and 2.80 ERA with the Kingsmen. A year later, Ward went 3-1, including a 1-hit shutout over Cal Tech, despite being moved to the bullpen for the second half of the season.

Ward previously played professionally with the Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball League, a team the Stars defeated during the exhibition season, and the Bay Area Toros (Texas City, Texas, near Houston) of the Continental Baseball League.

McKeever played at Poway as a sophomore in 2003, then made news after transferring to USDHS, being named MVP of the championship game when the Dons won the CIF San Diego Section Division III title after driving in four runs with a home run and a triple.

He went on to play for Southwestern College (2006), BYU (2007) and University of the Pacific (2008-09).

Stars salute Military in Home Opener
Free Admission to Doubleheader
vs. Heroes of the Diamond

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (5-21-10) — The San Diego Stars semipro baseball team will open its 2010 summer season on Saturday (June 5), entertaining Heroes of the Diamond, an All-Star team composed of ballplayers from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

In honor of playing this distinguished ballclub, the Stars have declared the doubleheader as "Salute to the Military Day," with all current and past members of the U.S. Armed Forces offered free admission. The contests will be held at Stars Field, located 1.1 miles north of Barona Valley Ranch casino along Wildcat Canyon Road north of Lakeside .

The Stars (established in 1981) are defending NBC Western Region champions, and owners of four WBA titles over the past six seasons. The team has advanced to the NBC World Series in 17 of the past 20 seasons, and boasts at alumni list which includes former San Diego Padres infielder MARCUS GILES, along with many other future Major League Baseball players.

Heroes of the Diamond used to be the old ballclub known as the San Diego Marines, which featured mostly retired members of the U.S. Marine Corp. But with the expansion of the Heroes programs – they will field both local and international travel teams – this ballclub vaults to becoming one of the favorites in the WBA South Division for 2010.

For further information, follow the Stars on their website: www.SanDiegoStars.com.


San Diego Stars tryouts: Sun., May 23

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (2-20-10/ Revised 5-16-10) — The San Diego (Barona) Stars semipro baseball team, defending National Baseball Congress Western Regional champions and NBC World Series participants, will be holding tryouts for the 2010 summer season.

This season's second session of tryouts will be held on Sun., May 23, at Stars Field, located 1.1 miles north of Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino on Wildcat Canyon Road, behind Barona Museum (or across the street from the fire station). Registration and warm-ups begin at noon.

As owner/head coach MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN always declares, "Talent speaks," so anyone age "17 to ??" may participate. Prospective players must furnish their own bat (wood) and helmet. All NCAA rules for amateurism are followed so all players may continue to participate in college baseball at any level (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA or community college).

The Stars, founded in 1981, have consistently been one of the top NBC ballclubs on the West Coast, including four league titles over the past six seasons, plus an array of domestic and international tournament crowns.

More than a dozen Stars alumni have advanced to "The Show," including MARCUS GILES (drafted by Atlanta Braves), SEAN O'SULLIVAN (Los Angeles Angels), MIKE JACOBS (New York Mets), DAVID CORTEZ (Atlanta Braves) and MIKE FRANK (Cincinnati Reds).

For further information, call the Stars Hotline at (619) 448-7900, or visit the website: www.SanDiegoStars.com. You may also email the coaching staff HERE.


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