Hall of Famer Stars skipper Mickey Deutschman elected to NSB Hall of Fame. (File photo by Frank Price) Deutschman elected to National Semipro Baseball Hall of Fame By Nick Pellegrino © East County Sports.com SANTEE (1-2-14) — Buoyed by his 1,000th career victory last summer, MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN, the owner/manager of the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team, has been named as part of the Class of 2014 to the National Semipro Baseball Hall of Fame in Evansville, Ind. The Hall, an online entity for more than a decade, will open its doors for the fist time this Thanksgiving weekend in Evansville, Ind. An enshrinement dinner will feature more than a dozen former Major League Basball plauers and coaches who also participated inb semipro baseball, including: Henry "Hank" Aaron, Willie Mays, Joe Girardi, Whitey Herzog, Curtis Granderson, Frank "Homerun" Baker, Connie Mack, Bill O'Reilly, George Thorogood, Bobby Thompson, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, Ralph Wilson, Jim Thome and Torii Hunter. Deutschman, 72, took over the then Santee Stars in 1984, immediately guiding the team to a fifth-place finish at the National Baseball Congress World Series. In his 30 seasons, his ballclub has qualified for two dozen NBC appearances, thanks to numerous NBC regional and league championships. Deutschman's exploits both on the field and administratively have been known for years. More than dozen former Stars players have played in Major League baseball; ,many more have earned college scholarships. "All across the country, you only find a guy like Mickey once every 500 miles," said Tim Turbin, curator of the new museum. "The Hall began online 12 years ago, but we will open an all-brick facility, Mickey is definitely a deserving member." The Stars were founded in 1981 by Marty Nellis and Pete Jernigan. Three years later, Deutschman asked to become involved. "They said, 'Give us $4,000 because we need new uniforms,'" Deutschman mused. "By the end of the year, I was in control of the ballclub." The Stars have also captured several international tournaments, and once defeated Team USA at the 1998 NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan. The ballclub also has defeated national teams from Taiwan, Canada and Australia, and played against squads from Cuba (when they were ranked No. 1in the world), China, Japan and other countries. Deutschman will find his name and likeness ingraved on a shining square-foot piece of black marble and placed along side with the other inductees. Deutschman supports the Stars himself from proceeds from Air Santee and Temperature Control, his locally owned and operated heating and air conditioning companies.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-23-14) —Any chance for the San Diego Stars to catch the first-place San Diego Waves for the South Division title of the Western Baseball Association went by the boards after the Escondido System needed to cancel the WBA finale for both ballclubs.

Thus, the Stars finish with 12 league wins, while the Waves already have 13. The Stars needed to defeat the System, then hope the Waves dropped their final pair of ballgames to forge a one-game tie-breaker. But with the cancellation (the contest was not declared a forfeit) eliminates all championship possibilities for the Stars (21-12 overall).

WBA officials did not disclose why the game was simply cancelled instead of being declared a forfeit.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-21-14) — The San Diego Waves magic number to clinch the South Division title of the Western Baseball Association may have fallen to one, but the Escondido based ballclub failed to play like champions.

Following nine innings of errorless play, the Waves committed one error in the 10th, another in the 11th, then three more miscues in the12th, finally handing a 3-2 victory to the San Diego Stars to cap Saturday's (July 20) doubleheader at Stars Field.

ANDREW MARTINEZ, who batted 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles, opened the 12th with a basehit, then a pair of Waves errors loaded the bases. Following a strikeout, DALLAS SEIDEL lifted a shallow fly ball to the opposite field in left, but the defender dropped the ball, then threw to third base rather than home to allow Martinez free reign to post the walk-off run.

The tally allowed MARK VASQUEZ to gain the pitching victory following 5 1/2 innings of solid relief.

Third baseman GARRETT SCHILLING batted 3-for-5 with a walk, including an RBI single in the 4th.

In the opener, Waves pitcher Bob Kraft tossed seven innings of shutout ball, taking an 11-0 run-rule victory n eight innings to guarantee at least a share of the division crown entering the final week of the regular season.

The Stars complete the regular season Tuesday at 5 p.m. by hosting the Escondido System.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-18-14) — For the second time this season, the San Diego Stars reached Escondido System pitcher Mark Ojeda for four early runs to gain a Western Baseball Association victory, this time turning the trick in the 3rd inning during a 5-3 triumph at Stars Field.

CODY SOS and ANDREW MARTINEZ got to Ojeda for consecutive RBI singles to grab a 3-2 lead. Three batters later. both scored on a 2-run basehit from designated hitter JAVI GONZALES.

Except for the pair of 4-run innings, Ojeda has limited the Stars to just a single run in his 10 others innings, yet was saddled with consecutive losses.

Meanwhile, Stars pitcher SHANE COLEMAN was touched for a pair of early runs, then set down 11 consecutive System batters. The coaching staff allowed Coleman go for a complete game, but a late System run in the 9th saw his outing end after a career-best 8 1/3 innings. ALEX HAAS registered the final two outs for the save.

The Stars (11-6 in the WBA South) moved within one game of front-running San Diego Waves. The two ballclubs meet in a doubleheader to probably decide the division championship Sunday at noon, also at Stars Field.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-17-14) — Tomo Delp, a 2012 graduate of the University of Maryland, slugged a tie-breaking, 2-run homer in the 6th inning Wednesday (July 16), pacing the San Diego Samurai to a 7-3 non-league decision over the San Diego Stars.

Delp, a product of Bonanza High in Las Vegas, slammed a 1-2 curveball over the fence in left field, part of a 3-for-4 outing at the plate by the Samurai third baseman.

After allowing a pair of unearned runs in the 1st, the Stars got even when third baseman GARRETT SCHILLING came home on a throwing error in the 2nd, then TAYLOR EICHHORST and RYAN LISCHER each doubled in the 4th.

Schilling also announced accepting a scholarship from Bluefield College in Virginia . The Rams (35-19 in 2014), which participated in the NCCAA World Series, features several players from California including infielder TYLER TIMMER (Grossmont High).

The other Stars run came in the 8th when ROBBY SCOTT scored on a WESLEY WALLACE triple.

The Stars return to Western Baseball Association action Thursday, hosting the Escondido System at 5 p.m.

Notes: The Samurai announced a tryout camp for players interested in joining the Japanese professional leagues. The top players at the camp, to be held at Stars Field in late October or early November, will advance to the Japanese minor league by scouts and managers flying in just to attend the event, sponsored by the Japan Baseball Federation.

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ESCONDIDO (7-16-14) — Becker Sankey, the most valuable player during the San Diego Stars' Independence Day Weekend Tournament, continued to pester the Stars. On Tuesday (July 15), the San Diego Waves catcher knocked in three runs to pace the Waves to a 7-1 triumph.

Sankey smacked a 2-run double following an error, when the Waves tallied three unearned runs in the 3rd inning.

The Stars saw shortstop ANTHONY WILLIAMS double and score on a ROBBYSCOTT single in the 6th, but Sankey went deep with a solo home run in the 7th. Meanwhile, Waves pitcher Kevin Shul allowed just four hits over 8 1/3 innings to gain the victory and break the tie for first place between the ballclubs in the South Division of the Western Baseball Association.

The Stars return home Wednesday, but against a new opponent by entertaining the All-Japan Samurai. The contest with the Escondido System has been re-booked for next Tuesday (July 22). Both start at 5 p.m.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-13-14) — The San Diego Stars semipro baseball team moved into a virtual tie for the South Division lead in the Western Baseball Association following a pair of improbable comeback victories Saturday (July 12) over the Southern California SKLZ.

Taylor Eichhorst Wesley Wallace Cody Sos

San Diego (18-9 overall, 10-5 WBA) is even with the San Diego Waves, with the Escondido ballclub owning a slightly better winning percentage. The Waves hold a 3-game advantage in the loss column, but the teams are slated to meet three times over the final week of the regular season, when the Stars play five times, while the Waves' pitching staff will be tested with 11 contests.

CODY SOS and TAYLOR EICHHORST knocked in the game-tying and winning runs, respectively, in the 9th inning after the Stars allowed a 6-2 advantage to slip away. Sos and ROBBY SCOTT each batted 3-for-5, while Eichhorst finished with three RBI.

In Game Two, the SKLZ mounted a 7-run cushion in the 4th inning, but San Diego rebounded thanks to an 8-run outburst in the 6th inning, capped by a go-ahead, 2-run double by Eichhorst. The first baseman batted 4-for-4 in the game and 6-for-8 with five RBI in the doubleheader.

Meanwhile, center fielder ANTHONY WILLIAMS equaled a franchise record by scoring five times He went 3-for-4 with a walk, also reaching on an error. Meanwhile, Scott went 5-for-9 with three RBI on the day.

The Stars will host their annual Alumni Day on Sunday (July 13), hosting the East Los Angeles Dodgers at 1 p.m. A home run hitting contest opens the festivities at noon.

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HIGHLAND (7-11-14) — San Diego Stars pitchers DEANDRE SIMPSON and ALEX HAAS were part of a South pitching staff which fired seven no-hit innings Thursday (July 10), securing an easy 9-1 triumph in the annual Western Baseball Association All-Star Game, held at the Ballpark of San Manuel Village.

Also representing the San Diego Stars were UC Irvine corner infielder ANTHONY MARTINEZ, San Diego State catcher CODY SOS, and former Sonoma State/Grossmont College outfielder WESLEY WALLACE.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-10-14) — San Diego State reserve catcher CODY SOS (Grossmont HS) doubled home the tie-breaking run in the 7th inning Wednesday (July 9), leading the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team to a 5-4 decision over visiting Team San Diego at Stars Field.

Sos, the Stars leader with 31 hits this summer, also moved into second on the ballclub in RBI and doubles. His drive to right field allowed the Stars to break their second-place deadlock between the clubs, moving the Stars to within one full game of Western Baseball Association leading San Diego Waves.

LUCAS WHITMORE gained the pitching victory despite allowing a 4-0 lead to disappear. A wild pitch in the 7th allowed Team San Diego to get even. However, WESLEY WALLACE, who is 12-for-27 (.444) on his current 7-game hitting streak, stroked a sharp, one-out basehit to left field. But when the throw behind Wallace at first base bounded into the right-field corner, he advanced to third base.

Two batters later, Sos sent a liner to right field to reclaim the lead. ROBBY NESOVIC then pitched the final two innings to garner his first save since rejoining the ballclub earlier in the week.

For the contest, Wallace batted 3-for-4, while Sos and TAYLOR EICHHORST each went 2-for-4 with an RBI double.

The Stars return to WBA action Saturday, now hosting the Southern California SKLZ at Stars Field in a doubleheader slated for noon (site change from Poway High). San Diego then will host the East L.A. Dodgers in Sunday's Alumni Day game.

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SCRIPPS RANCH (7-7-14) — Forced to play away from their home ballpark, the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team quickly fell behind the host San Diego Mavericks, 8-0, in Sunday's (July 6) semifinals of the Stars' annual Independence Day Weekend tournament.

The Stars mounted a huge comeback, but they fell short in a 9-8 setback at Alliant International University.

The Mavs then went to Barona for the championship ballgame, but they fell to the North County Waves, 8-5. Waves veteran catcher Becker Sankey, who plays his college ball at Liberty University, was named the most valuable player of the 20th annual event.

The Stars, winners in 10 of 13 contests, were down after just three innings. However, the comeback started on a solo home run by Christian High product TAYLOR RICHHORST in the 5th. It was his second homer in as many days.

An inning later, they added two runs, then tallied five times in the 7th, three on a bases-loaded clearing double by second baseman ROBBY SCOTT, who registered four triples during three pool-play contests.

The Stars (15-9) return to Western Baseball Association play Wednesday, hosting Team San Diego at 5 p.m. Then they will host their annual Alumni Day on Saturday, when they host the East Los Angeles Dodgers.

The event features the return of East L.A. coach Ramsey Ochoa, who once fueled a Stars victory over the U.S. National Team during the 1998 National Baseball Congress World Series.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-5-14) — San Diego Stars third baseman ANDREW MARTINEZ enjoyed the ride to the College World Series last month. But his individual success with UC Irvine was much less than desired.

Andrew Martinez

So the former Mater Dei Catholic High standout joined the Stars for the summer.

"I've been trying to get Andrew to bat that way for years," said local club coach Dave Palet, better known to the country as a national talk radio host. "But he joins the Stars and Mickey turns him around in just three weeks. Unbelievable."

Rather than attempting to muscle the ball to left field, Martinez sent three drives up the middle in front of several scouts. No doubt, his draftability index also exploded like the ball off his bat.

Meanwhile, Stars center fielder CHRIS ALLEN belted a pair of triples in a 3-for-4 outing, as the Stars collect 16 hits in just six trips to the plate. Among the 16, seven went for extra bases.

The hitting display placed a strong pitching effort by SHAN COLEMAN on the back burner. After allowing the lead double in the 1st which led to a run, the left-hander closed with 5 1/3 shutout innings, allowing just four hits.

San Diego (14-7 overall) completes pool play with a pair of contests on Saturday, hosting the Escondido System at 10:30 a.m., followed by a ballgame against the Southern California SKLZ. Should the Stars at least split, they should qualify for Sunday's semifinals.

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BARONA INDIAN RESEVATION (6-30-14) — RAMSEY OCHOA, who slugged a key double to help the San Diego Stars "upset" the U.S. National Baseball Team in 1999, is returning to San Diego County.

Ochoa will be joined by the East Los Angeles Dodgers to meet the Stars on Stars Alumni Day with a game , slated for Sun., July 13, at Stars Field. First pitch is slated at noon.

Playing in an elimination game at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan., Ochoa belted a gamer-tying, 2-run double to level the score at 9-9.

The Stars, which once trailed by six runs in the historic ballgame, finally rallied to down the Americans, 11-9, eliminating the national team from NBCWS competition. The Stars went on to finish third; Team USA has never returned to Wichita.

All Stars Alumni was asked to attend. You may RSVP by visiting the Stars website HERE. The ballclub is also requesting for all former players to join the Stars Alumni Association with annual dues of $100, which will aid the team with travel and other expenses as the team continues to globetrot throughout North America.

In previous years, funding has been provided by owner-head coach Mickey Deutschman through his heating/Air conditioning company. However, "Mickey D.," now 72, is starting to downsize his company and is asking for assistance to keep the 30-plus-year program alive.

The Alumni Association will include a business directory of all companies owned and operated by former Stars.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-18-14) — A former high draft selection of the Kansas City Royals, JORDAN PICKENS has toiled for over five years in an attempt to recover from Tommy John surgery.

Jordan Pickens Mike Butterfield recently returned to the Stars as an assistant coach.

"I was running late, so I called Jordan and told him to make out the line-up," said Deutschman. "He said, 'What??!!'"

With some help from the veteran manager via cell phone, Pickens posted his first batting order on the wall of the Stars dugout. And it seemed to work.

The Stars erupted for nine runs in the first inning, going on to cake-walk Team San Diego, 14-3, in Western Baseball Association action. The triumph moved the Stars into a virtual tie for first place in the South Division with the San Diego Waves.

" Jordan had a different idea on the batting order," noted Deutschman. "He bunched all of our speed guys together, then grouped all of the slow guys together so they wouldn't slow down the others."

The result saw the first seven Stars batters reach base and score. The fireworks featured a 2-run double by third baseman CODY SOS, consecutive RBI singles by his uncle BRIAN SOS and WESLEY WALLACE, then another 2-run double off the bat of TAAYLOR EICHHORST.

The final two runs came via the inning's third 2-run double, this time from shortstop ANTHONY WILLIAMS, a former independent pro league player who re-joined the Stars after recently getting released.

Williams showed the scouts he's ready to sign another pro contract after going 3-for-3 with a walk and three RBI, including a pair of line-drive doubles.

In addition, center fielder CHRIS ALLEN went 2-for-2 and walked twice, scoring all four times. Second baseman ROBBY SCOTT, who flip-flopped with Allen to become the leadoff batter, also reached and scored three times.

On the mound, Stars pitcher BRANDON DELANEY tossed a complete-game 6-hitter, charged for just one earned run to collect the victory.

Schedule: This weekend's tournament has been cancelled, so the Stars have added some non-conference games. On Wednesday, they travel to meet WBA rival San Diego Mavericks, then return home Thursday to host the San Diego Hustle. More ballgames will also be added soon.

© East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (6-16-14) — West Hills High alum GARRETT SCHILLING, who batted just .254 with a mere 12 RBI this past spring at San Diego Mesa College, is quickly gathering hitting success with the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team.

Schilling came off the bench to collect a pair of game-tying hits, driving in equalizers in both the 7th and 9th innings, allowing the Stars to start a doubleheader sweep from Team San Diego, 5-3 in 10 innings and 11-5, Sunday (June 15) at Morley Field.

With the victories, the Stars knocked Team San Diego out of its share of first place in the Western Baseball Association. The San Diego Waves remain on top at 3-1, but the Stars are now just a half-game back after taking three of four contests over the weekend.

Schilling, playing in front of friends and family, many who just arrived from Missouri for Father's Day weekend, came through with several clutch hits.

In the opener, Schilling lined a two-out, RBI single to right-center field to tie the game, then repeated the feat in the 9th to force extra innings. On both occasions, shortstop ROBBY SCOTT (3-for-4 with three runs scored) crossed the plate.

The Stars then added two more runs in the 10th with a two-out rally. COREY RUSSELL singled, then scored when JAVI GONZALES reached on a 3-base error. Gonzales then scored on a wild pitch.

Schilling's hits allowed starting pitcher GABE WARD to avoid a loss, despite 7 1/3 innings solid innings, allowing just four basehits.

ALEX HAAS, who pitched just five innings for Southwestern College this past spring, tossed the final 2 2/3 shutout innings, collecting his second win of the summer with the Stars.

In Game 2, Schilling again delivered twice.

Garnering the start at third base, Schilling broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI double in the 4th. Team San Diego would later tie the score at 5-all, but Schilling opened the 7th with a lead walk, eventually scoring the game-winning run on an RBI single by center fielder CODY REILLY (El Capitan).

AUSTIN CURO-RUIZ (El Cap) followed with another run-scoring basehit for a 7-5 lead.

Then in the 9th, the Stars scored four times, three on a bases-loaded triple by CODY SOS, who only had eight at-bats at San Diego State this past season. Sos entered the day as the ballclub's second-leading hitter at .333 even though the Aztecs basically refused to utilize the talent out of Grossmont High.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION 6-15-14) — In a meeting with familiar foes, the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team blew a pair of 9th-inning leads, but still salvaged a split of their Western Baseball Association doubleheader with the South Bay System.

The Stars allowed two late runs in Game 1, but answered with one in the 10th to take the opener, 4-3. In Game 2, three Stars errors led to three unearned runs in a 6-4 setback to the System.

The ballclubs combined following the 2013 season to represent the WBA at the NBC World Series in Wichita , Kan. , where the System's Andres Enriquez belted a walk-off, 2-run triple to defeat and eliminate the San Diego Force, 2-1.

The Stars also defeated the Force twice to earn their NBC berth at the Western Regional. The Force was unbeaten in the double-elimination event, but the Stars captured the final and the playback finale, winning the season series against their former rivals (according to the Force website, the ballclub resigned from the WBA due to a "lack of competition," despite losing all three key money games to the Stars).

In Saturday's (June 14) first game, WESLEY WALLACE, who struck out in his two previous trips to the plate, delivered the walk-off winner with a double to left-center field, scoring Stars veteran ROBBY SCOTT (one-out walk). Both finished with two basehits.

The Stars meet first-place Team San Diego in a Father's Day doubleheader at Grossmont College , starting at noon.

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ESCONDIDO (6-13-14) — San Diego Stars pitcher LUCAS WHITMORE retired the first 17 batters he faced Thursday (June 12), but his finest effort of the season wasn't enough in falling to the host San Diego Waves, 2-1, in Western Baseball Association action.

Whitmore set the Waves down in order in six of eight innings. However, he received little offensive support as the Stars stranded 11 baserunners, including the bases loaded in the 7th and 8th frames.

Whitmore struck out seven and walked just one, but that was the runner who scored for the Waves in the 8th when they pushed across the tie-breaking run.

The Stars also welcomed the return of ANTHONY WILLIAMS for independent ball. However, he was called out on a stolen base attempt in the 4th, ruled out by the tag, despite raising on a pop-up slide (with his foot, obviously, already on the bag).

However, CODY REILLY followed with a walk, scoring on a booming triple to right-center field by WESLEY WALLACE to open the scoring.

Reilly, the left fielder, batted 2-for-3 with a walk. Meanwhile, Wallace, the right fielder, kept the perfect game alive with three running catches toward the foul line to record every Waves’ out in the 5th, capped by a diving grab in foul territory.

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SCRIPPS RANCH (6-12-14) — Over the course of the entire 2014 college baseball season, Cal State San Marcos junior pitcher AARON ALVA tossed a mere seven innings in 11 appearances.

Aaron Alva

So Alva vacated two other collegiate summer league ballclubs to find a place to post innings, finally landing with the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team. And he's glad he did.

Handed the ball as Wednesday's (June 10) starting pitcher, Alva, a Lakeside resident, lasted deep into the 8th inning to collect the victory, pacing the visiting Stars to a 4-2 Western Baseball Association decision over the San Diego Mavericks at Alliant International University.

The win gave the ballclubs another split in their second home-and-home series in as many weeks.

Holding a 4-0 lead, Alva was one pitch away from escaping an 8th-inning jam, yet coaxed an inning-ending ground ball. However, a throwing error allowed two unearned runs to score, so when he walked the next batter, his longest pitching stint in more than a year was over. He finished with nine strikeouts.

Stars reliever DeANDRE SIMPSON entered, yielding an infield single which loaded the bases for the Mavericks. However, the product from The Rock Academy and Southwestern College then gunned down the next four hitters -- three weak ground balls, then a game-ending strikeout -- to collect his first save with the Stars. in a combined 5-hitter.

The Stars opened the scoring in the 4th when BRIAN SOS reached on an error, eventually advancing one base at a time on basehits by CODY REILLY, DALLAS SEIDEL and nephew CODY SOS (RBI).

In the 7th, JORDAN PICKENS, a former 12th-round draft pick by the Kansas City Royals, accepted a one-out walk. He scored when JAVI GONZALES sliced a double down the right-field line.

An inning later, both sides posted a pair of unearned runs.

The Stars saw Reilly reach on an error, coming home on a triple to right-center field by Seidel. Two batters later, AUSTIN CURO-DIAZ grounded out to bring home Seidel, who batted 3-for-4.

ROBBY SCOTT and Gonzales went 2-for-5 each..

The Stars (5-3 overall, 3-3 WBA South) will play Thursday night against the San Diego Waves, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Escondido High School.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-11-14) — After tearing it up for 23 runs in a doubleheader over the weekend, the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team managed just two runs Monday (June 9), falling to the last-place San Diego Mavericks in Western Baseball Association action at Stars Field.

The pair of 4th-inning runs allowed the Stars to pull even after the Mavs scored twice in the 1st, but the ballclub managed just two additional basehits over the final five frames as four pitchers combined on a 7-hitter.

In their rally, the Stars received a pair of one-out walks to CODY SOS and RYAN LISHCER, with both eventually scoring, one on a bases-loaded walk to CHRIS ALLEN, then a sacrifice fly to right field by ROBBY SCOTT on the very next pitch.

Sos, the third baseman, batted 2-for-4 and stole a base, but the rest of the Stars went untracked at the plate.

The ballclubs will complete the home-and-home series Wednesday at Alliant International University in Scripps Ranch, starting at 5 p.m.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-9-14) — The San Diego Stars, down 2-0 after a half-inning, raced past the Southern California SKLZ with 12 unanswered runs, taking a 12-2 Decision in the first game of a Western Baseball Association doubleheader Sunday (June 8) at Stars Field.

Eight different players drove in runs for the Stars, but the SKLZ gained a split with a 12-11 verdict in the marathon, 3 1/2-hour nightcap, despite 14 walks and a hit batter by SKLZ pitching.

The results left the ballclubs level at 2-2 in WBA play, as the South Division is situated in an unusual 6-way tie for first among all teams.

Chris Allen cemented his position as the Stars leadoff batter. The center fielder batted 2-for-2 with two walks and three runs in the opener, then 1-for-2 with two more walks and a pair of runs in Game 2.

In addition, Curren Facer came off the bench in both games, batting a composite 4-for-4 with a walk and two RBI.

The Stars host the San Diego Mavericks on Tuesday at 5 p.m. to start another home-and-home series.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESEVRATION (6-6-14) — The San Diego Stars semipro baseball team wasted a solid pitching effort by LUCAS WHITMORE by committing seven errors, including four in the 6th inning leading tosix unearned runs, in falling to the San Diego Mavericks, 15-6, in Western Baseball Asso ciation action on Thursday (June 6).

Whitmore coaxed four ground balls in the decisive inning. The first went for a scratch single, then the next three were booted, eventually turning a 4-3 lead into a 9-4 deficit. Whitmore finished with seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings, including three punchouts in the 1st. As a staff, the Stars struck out 10 Mavericks.

The Stars initially claimed a 4-0 lead, three unearned when the Mavericks’ defense was equally porous.

In the 3rd, AUSTIN CURO-RUIZ, who collected two basehits, reached on an infield single. He was caught stealing, but in the rundown, the ball was dropped, allowing the Stars infielder to reach second base. He was singled home by JAVY GONZALES.

An inning later, DALLAS SEIDEL smacked a lead double, later scoring on an error. CURRAN FACER capped the 3-run rally with a deep sacrifice fly to right field.

ROBBY SCOTT barely extended his hitting streak with a run-scoring basehit in the 9th.

With the split of the WBA South opening two-game series, all six ballclubs are tied for at 1-1. The Stars ost e Southern California SKLZ in a doubleheader on Sunday, starting at noon.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
SCRIPPS RANCH (6-5-14) — Left-handed pitcher AARON ALVA, who failed to win a game all season at Grossmont College two years ago, is finding his way with the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team.

On Wednesday (June 4), Alva fired six innings of shutout ball, leading the Stars to a 7-0 blanking of the host San Diego Mavericks in the ballclubs' Western Baseball Association opener at Alliant International University .

Alva struck out six batters and yielded just two basehits in a stellar outing. He was followed by AUSTIN SEIDEL and DEANDRE SIMPSON in a 3-hit shutout for the Stars pitching staff.

Seidel struck out three batters over two innings, then Simpson was a Rock by striking out all three batters he faced in the 9th inning.

Meanwhile, WESLEY WALLACE launched a tape-measure, 3-run homer to left field in the 3rd for the early lead. His shot which nearly cleared the hill beyond the outfield fence also brought home third baseman CODY SOS (lead single) and TAYLOR EICHHORST (basehit to right).

The Stars added three runs in the 6th, two on a bases-loaded single by ROBBY SCOTT, then Eichhorst sent a drive down the left-field line for a leadoff homer in the 7th to cap a 13-hit attack.

The ballclubs complete the home-and-home series Thursday at Barona, starting at 5 p.m.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-2-14) — In less than two weeks, FIFA's World Cup of soccer begins play, featuring many of the globe's best athletes.

In such an event, watching a goalkeeper make a diving, acrobatic save would hardly be considered unusual.

On Sunday, the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team opened their season, when 47-year old first baseman BRIAN SOS opened the eyes of several young ballplayers seeking to unseat the veteran.

On a hard drive to his right, Sos leaped horizontally, not only making the grab, but recovered from the ground and beat the batter to first base to register the out in a jaw-dropping play.

Sos also batted 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and four RBI before being given the rest of the afternoon off by Hall of Fame manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN, leading the Stars to a doubleheader sweep of the Huntington Beach Grizzlies, 11-7 and 12-6.

"I keep telling people that I only play the best players – I don't play favorites," said Deutschman. "And for 20 years, no one has been able to do better than Brian."

Sos continues to dazzle the 20-somethings. Many have tried to out-play Sos, yet no one ever has.

Meanwhile, those college players looking for a place to play in the infield this summer will find another Stars veteran in their path. Shortstop ROBBY SCOTT batted 4-for-5 with two RBI, including a run-scoring triple in the 1st to give San Diego an early lead.

In the nightcap, Scott went 2-for-4 with another triple, two runs and a pair of RBI.

The Grizzlies, part of the Around The Horn baseball academy, came back against the Stars youngsters, with the ballgames closing three weeks of spring training for the Stars. Some new faces will dot the official roster (to be released early this week), but many players who believed they would be selected in this week's Major League Baseball draft may be surprised to learn it's harder to gain a roster spot with the Stars.

San Diego (2-0), the top returning ballclub in the Western Baseball Association, next play a home-and-home series to open WBA South Division play with the San Diego Mavericks, meeting Wednesday at Alliant Int'l. University in Scripps Ranch, then Thursday at Stars Field. Both start at 5 p.m.

Note: The Stars are now 6-0 all-time against the Grizzlies.

© East County Sports.com
WICHITA, Kan. (5-10-14) — The San Diego Stars semipro baseball team will again have an opportunity to meet one of the U.S. National baseball teams after officials with USA Baseball confirmed participation of the National Junior College Athletic Association all-star team in the 80th annual National Baseball Congress World Series this summer.

This will be the NBCWS appearance by any American national team since the U.S. National Team (the "big" squad) were eliminated by the Stars some 15 years ago.

In 1999, The Stars met Team USA at historic Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in southern Kansas, rallying from a 9-6 deficit in the 8th inning to take down the Americans, 11-9. With the loss, Team USA finished in seventh place, while the Stars went on to place third at the World Series that season.

The NJCAA consists of junior colleges and community colleges from across the nation, except those in California, Oregon and Washington.

© East County Sports.com
INDIANAPOLIS (4-7-14) — JESSE JENNER, a recent member of the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team, has been named the NCAA National Player of the Week, as selected by Collegiate Baseball.

Jenner, a catcher for the University of San Diego, was also named West Coast Conference player of the week.

The Steele Canyon High product turned in a remarkable week, hitting .769 (10-for-13) with one double, one home run and five RBI. His offense helped lead USD to a 4-0 record this past week, lifting the Toreros into second place in the WCC standings.

Jenner capped the week with a perfect 3-for-3 performance – including his first homer with the Toreros – to help USD complete the sweep against Gonzaga.

By Nick Pellegrino
© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (2-2-14) — Changes in baseball's hierarchy equates to changes in the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team.

"There was a time when our ballclub was filled with former professional baseball players or would-be pros working hard to get to The Show," noted MICKEY DUETSCHMAN, owner/manager of the Stars. "But as the years have gone by, our roster is more and more like a collegiate team."

The expansion of independent leagues created more opportunities to play-for-pay, while the collegiate teams remain strong for players wishing to maintain amateur status for NCAA and NAIA college programs by pursuing their education.

But what about those players out of amateur eligibility, ones who have moved on with their lives yet still hold the itch to play -- and not for a trophy.

Welcome to Money Sports. Inc., an organization which believes that adult leagues are a rip-off, giving the competitive athlete an opportunity to play for prize money.

Known by players and teams as playing "Moneyball" (a copy-written term not used by MSI), prize money has quickly grown to more than $30,000 for a single weekend tournament. A schedule event later this summer in Phoenix is offering a $100,000 purse.

"Players who can't play independent ball because they have jobs or have families love the Moneyball concept," added Deutschman. "They may not be able to commit to a daily league, but they can come out once every month or two for a weekend tournament."

Money Sports' debut event saw the Stars reach the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Los Angeles Skunks. Next moth, the Stars are among the favorites in an event in Las Vegas, with $15,000 going to the winner.

"This concept works around the schedules for most of our players," added Deutschman. "They get a taste of real competition playing for money and not a piece of plastic (a trophy)."

Players from throughout Southern California and Mexico have contacted the Stars. who are in discussions to host their own Money Sports event, possibly as soon as this summer.

"There are no contracts. All teams have open rosters," added the manager.

Thus, if one is available to play, you're in. If you can't, others are waiting. And if you want to change teams or start your own, you're welcome to it at any time.

"The only rule is that once you're on a roster for a tournament, you can't switch teams once the tournament starts. Otherwise, you bring your best team, we'll put our best team on the field, and the winner gets the money."

Another advantage for the Stars is a coaching staff which has one assistant coach who scouts for the Boston Red Sox, while Deutschman scouted for the Atlanta Braves for more than 20 years. Thus, players are always seen, increasing chances of getting signed.