Stars shine but fall to Monarchs in 10
- Updated: August 6, 2021
HUTCHINSON, Kan. —-In the press information packet for the 87th annual National Baseball Congress World Series, the Hutchinson (Kan,) Monarchs boasted how their roster listed a record number of NCAA Division I ballplayers.
The San Diego Stars were hardly impressed.
Composed of small college and community college prospects, the Stars rallied against one of those D-1 big boys to force extra innings, yet still fell to the Monarchs, 4-3 in 10 innings, in the tournament opener held Thursday (August 5) at Hobart-Detter Stadium at Carey Park.
The Stars rallied from 3-1 down to get even against Monarch standout pitcher Eli Davis of Kansas,, who earned Big 12 Conference player of the week laurels after firing a 7-inning no-hitter against in-state rival Kansas State in a Dillon Sunflower Showdown game in mid-May.
Stars third baseman Joey Krug, who earlier registered an RBI double to ignite the San Diego comeback, followed a Kyle Pineda walk with a basehit. Catcher Andrew Ritiyak (West Hills HS) walked on four pitches to load the bases as Davis couldn’t find the strike zone.
And when Stars left fielder Ryan Culp followed with a line single, the teams were level at 3-all.
However, Hutchinson won on an RBI double by Garrett Kocis, scoring Cooper Harris (led walk). Both play for Wichita State.
For San Diego, Krug and Brady Joslyn (double) both posted two hits. Pitchers Baily Roberson and Kair Dennis split duty in strong outings.
