After win, Stars fall on Fourth in Alaska

By Ramon Scott
Updated: July 5, 2026

San Diego's Carter Lockwood at the plate on July 3

2026 SAN DIEGO STARS BASEBALL

REED SPARKS STARS IN ALASKA

San Diego evens Goldpanners series with 13-5 win

EastCountySports.com staff report

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Nick Reed delivered the swing that turned the game, and the San Diego Stars made their Alaska breakthrough Friday night.

Reed drove in four runs on three hits as the Stars defeated the Alaska Goldpanners, 13-5, at Growden Park, evening the five-game series between San Diego’s East County-based semipro club and one of summer baseball’s most historic programs.

The victory came one night after the Stars opened the trip with an 8-6 loss in Fairbanks, where San Diego twice rallied to tie the game before Alaska pulled away late.

On Friday, the Stars made sure the comeback belonged to them.

San Diego struck first in the top of the first inning on RBI singles by Will James and Reed. Alaska answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the first, then tied the game in the second after a San Diego error.

The Goldpanners moved in front in the third, using back-to-back bases-loaded walks to take a 4-2 lead.

The Stars flipped the game in the fifth.

San Diego scored five runs in the inning to take a 7-4 lead, with Reed producing the key at-bat. The Stars’ infielder worked deep into the count before delivering a two-run single on the ninth pitch of the plate appearance.

Reed later added another run-scoring single in the eighth as San Diego continued to build the lead.

The Stars finished with 13 hits. Carter Lockwood, James and Gavin Nilsson each had multiple hits for San Diego.

Riley Kronenfield earned the win in relief, allowing one hit over two scoreless innings. Haden Deanda started and went three innings for the Stars, allowing four runs, three earned, with three strikeouts.

The San Diego bullpen was strong after that. Nate Moloney, David Zambelli, Ryan Smith and Matt Frimbres each added a scoreless inning in relief.

The win also gave the Stars a strong response in their return to Fairbanks. San Diego made the trip north for a five-game series against the Goldpanners, a club with a deep national semipro profile and a long connection to the National Baseball Congress World Series circuit.

For the Stars, the trip also carries the memory of late founder, owner, general manager and manager Mickey Deutschman, who built the organization around road trips, tournament baseball and annual challenges against national summer baseball programs. The Stars continue to play in his honor under current owner and general manager Kelly Ritiyak.

The series continued Saturday at Growden Park as part of a holiday baseball weekend in Fairbanks.

STARS EDGED IN 4TH OF JULY THRILLER

Goldpanners walk off San Diego in 10 innings

EastCountySports.com staff report

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The San Diego Stars were one inning away from taking the Fourth of July game in Fairbanks.

Instead, the Alaska Goldpanners found a final answer.

Lucas Bonham hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning Saturday night at Growden Park, giving the Goldpanners a 9-8 walk-off win over the Stars in the third game of the five-game series.

The game was part of a special holiday baseball weekend in Fairbanks, where the Goldpanners hosted events tied to America250’s “Week of Dreams” celebration and Alaska’s long baseball history.

The setting included several Major League Baseball connections. Former San Diego Padres pitcher Greg Harris, who pitched for the Goldpanners in 1976, returned to Fairbanks as part of the festivities.

Former Major League pitcher DJ Carrasco also appeared in the game and worked 2 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two unearned runs with one walk and two strikeouts.

Carrasco, 49, traveled to Fairbanks as an MLB ambassador and founder of Native Nations Baseball, a national governing body for baseball and softball representing federally recognized tribes. His visit was part of the broader celebration of baseball’s Indigenous roots in Alaska and the region’s connection to the game.

On the field, San Diego nearly made the holiday night its own.

Carter Lockwood gave the Stars a big early swing in the third inning, hitting a three-run home run to left field. San Diego built its lead behind starter Travis Van Dyke, who gave the Stars seven innings, allowing four runs on three hits while striking out five.

Alaska rallied late, tying the game in the bottom of the ninth on an 0-2 double by Charlie Kalbrener.

The Stars answered immediately.

Will James led off the top of the 10th with a solo home run to center field, putting San Diego back in front, 7-6. The Stars later added another run, but the Goldpanners came back once more in the bottom half.

Alaska tied the game, then won it on Bonham’s sacrifice fly.

Lockwood and James each drove in three runs for the Stars. Lockwood also walked twice, while Nick Reed drew two walks as San Diego finished with six walks.

Matt Frimbres took the loss in relief.

The game came one night after the Stars evened the series with a 13-5 win over Alaska. San Diego opened the trip with an 8-6 loss, then responded with the Game 2 victory before Saturday’s walk-off defeat.

The Stars and Goldpanners continue the series Sunday and Monday at Growden Park. Full game broadcasts are available through the Goldpanners’ YouTube account.