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GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (9-7-09) — Andrew Brock, who led Team British Columbia to the Baseball Canada Senior Men's baseball championship, allowed just six singles Monday (Sept. 7), leading his hometown Burnaby (B.C.) Bulldogs to a 6-0 shutout victory over the San Diego-Barona Stars in the semifinals of the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic. The result left the Stars (34-12 overall) to a third-place finish to cap another standout summer season.

Brock, who pitches collegiately for College of Idaho, struck out five wthout issuing a walk to lift the Bulldogs into the championship contest. However, the Lewiston Truckers, which defeated the Canada National Team in its Final Four ballgame 3-1, then took the title game, 7-3.

Stars catcher MATT POWELL and right fielder JEAN VALASQUES each batted 2-for-3, but the rest of the team gained a pair of basehits.

For the tournament, the Stars' ERIC STEPHENS paced all batters in the 12-team event with a .550 batting average, while RYAN HULBERT placed first in home runs (2) and second in slugging percentage (.774).

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GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (9-7-09) — RYAN HULBERT thought he drove in the go-ahead run with a booming double in the bottom of the 8th inning. However, his San Diego-Barona Stars teammate was thrown out at the plate to preserve a 4-4 deadlock with the Idaho Warriors.

So Hulbert made sure the same didn't happen to him, hustling home from third base on an infield grounder, the difference in a 5-4 victory in Sunday's (Sept. 6) quarterfinals of the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic.

The third-seeded Stars advance to Sunday's final day of competition at James Donaldson Field, advancing to the semifinals against the second-seeded Burnaby (B.C.) Bulldogs. Top-seeded Lewiston (Idaho) Truckers will meet the winner of the late game between the Seattle Studs and the Canada National Team.

Hulburt batted 3-for-5 against the Warriors, while ERIC STEPHENS went 2-for-3 to raise his average to a tournament-leading .688.

GABE WARD, who did not travel with the team last Monday due to illness, took a flight to Spokane, then drove north the final 80 miles to this Canadian border town to make the starting pitching role. Now healthy, Ward tossed a complete game to gain the triumph, allowing just a pair of earned runs and striking out eight.

Stars catcher CLAYTON HOWELL and third baseman RAMONA MARQUEZ each collected two basehits.

Barona (34-11) took a 2-0 lead on run-scoring singles by Hukbert and Marquez in th 3rd. Idaho took the lead by scoring twice in the 5th and 6th, but the Stars got even in the 6th on RBI basehits by Marquez and Stephens.

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GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (9-6-09) — MATT POWELL, the starting catcher for the Barona-San Diego Stars, has been many things in his baseball career.

After spending time as an NCAA Division I backstop for Cal State Fullerton, Powell transformed into an NAIA first-team All-America selection after getting dumped by a new Titans coaching staff. He's been credited for his batting along with pitcher development – sometimes whether the pitcher wanted to hear it or not.

So when Stars manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN asked Powell to take the mound for the first time since a few token high school appearances, snickers by members of the pitching staff quickly mooted into dropping jaws, all impressed after Powell yielded just four hits over 3 2/3 innings of relief to gain the save in the Stars' 14-7 triumph over the Vancouver (B.C.) Thunderbirds.

Deutschman inserted Powell in the hope to save some of his regular arms for Sunday's money round of the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic. The Stars (33-11 overall) earned one of the top seeds into the quarterfinals after sweeping three pool play contests.

Meanwhile, RYAN HULBERT, the former Helix High and Cal State San Bernardino standout, powered the offense by going 3-for-6 and driving home four runs, as the first six batters in the Stars batting order all knocked in runs in a 17-hit attack.

Hulbert's RBI single in the 1st inning propeled the Stars to a quick 3-0 lead. But after Vancouver scored its lone run off Powell to move within 10-7 in the 8th, Hulbert answered in the 9th by belting a 3-run homer to left field at James Donaldson Stadium to cap his top performance of the summer.

Barrona first baseman ERIC STEPHENS went 4-for-6 to raise his tournament batting average to .692 (9-for-13). RAMON MARQUEZ added three hits, three runs and a pair of RBI, while GRAIG MERRITT, ALAN BRACE and CLAYTON HOWELL each posted two basehits.

With one pool play contest left among the 12 participating teams, the Stars seemed poised to grab the No. 2 seed entering the knockout phase of the tournament. The Lewiston (Idaho) Truckers, the summer team for Lewis & Clark State University, also went 3-0 in its pool, but own a slightly better run deferential.

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GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (9-5-09) — In the single-most important victory of the season, the San Diego-Barona Stars dominated the national power Seattle Studs from start to finish Friday (Sept. 4), collecting a surprisingly easy 8-1 victory in pool play action of the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic.

The ballgame was played in front of more than 2,000 fans at James Donaldson Field, located in this Canadian border town north of Spokane, Wash. It is also situated near Trail, B.C., the training camp home of the original San Diego Gulls of the Western Hockey League from the late 1960s.

Except for a Seattle run in the bottom of the 7th to ruin the shutout, this one was all Stars throughout, avenging a 3-0 loss to the Studs at last month's National Baseball Congress World Series.

Stars right fielder JUAN VALASQUES and shortstop DIEGO MORALES each collected two hits and a pair of RBI to mount a 6-0 lead after five innings. Meanwhile, Barona pitcher TRISTAN FLOTRE allowed just four hits all evening to a Studs ballclub which finished second in both this event and the NBC World Series in 2008. Flotre struck out six Studs.

The victory lifted the Stars (32-11 overall) into Sunday's money round, no matter the outcome of Saturday's final pool play contest against the Vancouver Thunderbirds. However, another victory will place Barona into contention with the Lewiston (Idaho) Truckers for the top seed into the quarterfinals.

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GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (9-4-09) — The debut of San Diego-Barona Stars third baseman RAMON MARQUEZ turned into a memorable occasion. The newcomer slugged a go-ahead, 2-run homer to highlight a 4-for-4, five RBI performance, lifting the Stars pasr the Prince George (B.C.) Axemen, 9-2, in the opening pool play contest of the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic held at James Donaldson Field.

Former San Diego Christian College pitcher EDDIE PRIOR overcame a rough opening inning by allowing just four basehits the rest of the way in a complete-game victory. After yielding two runs in the 1st inning, Prior settled in and struck out five to blank the Axemen over the final 6 1/3 innings. Opponents are batting a mere .210 against the left-hander this summer.

Stars third baseman Ramon Marquez, pictured playing for El Camino College. (ECC courtesy photo)

Trailing 2-1, ROB SCOTT opened the 5th with a walk, then Marquez belted a 2-run shot to right field. The Stars then added five more runs in the 6th, including a run-scoring basehit to left by Marquez. An inning later, Scott laced a 1-out double, coming home on a basehit by the middle by Marquez, placing the Stars into position for the run-rule victory in seven innings.

Marquez is a two-time All-South Coast Conference standout, named El Camino College's male athlete of the year (covering all sports) in 2008 after batting .387 and .352 in two seasons for the Warriors or Torrance.

Designated hitter ERIC STEPHENS went 3-for-3 with two runs and a pair of RBI, while left fielder RYAN HULBERT also knocked in two with a 2-for-4 performance.

The Stars (31-11 overall) need just one victory in their two remaining pool play contests to gain a berth in Sunday's money round. The pool includes a meeting with the powerful Seattle Studs in Friday's prime time ballgame at 8 p.m., then a Saturday afternoon affair with the Vancouver Thunderbirds, an emergency replacement team when the national team of Pakistan was unable to attened the event, recognized as one of the top semipro baseball tournaments in North America.

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GRAND FORKS, B.C., Canada (8-21-09) — The San Diego-Barona Stars will complete the 2009 summer season by seeking a third championship at the Grand Forks International Baseball Classic. But the path to another title will not be easy.

The Stars (30-11), winners here in both 2004 and 2006, were placed in what is easily the most difficult of the three pools, which features a line-up which included the Seattle Studs, the 2008 National Baseball Congress World Series runners-up.

The Studs downed the Stars during this year's NBC national event before falling to this season's national runners-up, the Anchorage Glacier Pilots.

In addition, the Stars will meet the Kamloops (B.C.) Sun Devils, the team made of predominately of players which claimed the 2009 Canadian Collegiate Baseball League championship. San Diego will also meet the Red Deer (Alberta) Red Birds.

Pool play runs Sept. 2-5, with the top eight teams advancing to the knockout stage on Sept. 6-7, with all ballgames to be held at James Donaldson Park.

WESTERN BASEBALL ASSOCIATION Teams At The 75th Annual NATIONAL BASEBALL CONGRESS WORLD SERIES WICHITA, KAN.

Date Score Sun., Aug. 2 Southern California Bombers 6, Game Time (LA) Rockies 0 BOXSCORE Tue., Aug. 4 Liberal (KS) BeeJays 8, San Diego (Waves 4 BOXSCORE Wed., Aug. 5 San Diego (Waves 7, Play Ball Sports (CO) 1 BOXSCORE Anchorage (AK) Glacier Pilots 9, San Diego Force 1 BOXSCORE Thurs., Aug. 6 San Diego Force 8, Houston (TX) Apollos 7 BOXSCORE SAN DIEGO STARS 9, Orange County (CA) Pioneers 2 BOXSCORE Fri., Aug. 7 El Dorado (KS) Broncos 5, Southern California Bombers 2 BOXSCORE Sat., Aug. 8 Hays (KS) Larks 5, San Diego Waves 0 BOXSCORE (Waves eliminated) Derby (KS) Twins 10, San Diego Force 0 (8 inn.) BOXSCORE (Force eliminated) Seattle (WA) Studs 3, SAN DIEGO STARS 0 BOXSCORE Southern California Bombers 3, Colorado Sox 0 BOXSCORE Sun., Aug. 9 Nevada (MO) Griffons 8, SAN DIEGO STARS 1 BOXSCORE (Stars eliminated) Mon., Aug. 10 Crestwood (IL) Panthers 6, Southern California Bombers 3 (Bombers eliminated) BOXSCORE

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WICHITA, Kan. (8-10-09) — The San Diego-Barona Stars lasted deeper in the 75th annual National Baseball Congress World Series than any other San Diego based ballclub, but there was still a sour taste remaining after the Stars were eliminated in Sunday's (Aug. 9) elimination round, 8-1, by the Nevada (Mo.) Griffons.

The Stars mustered a mere five hits, with the lone run coming off the bat of pitcher EDDIE PRIOR, who was forced to pinch-hit, yet delivered a sacrifice fly to avoid the shutout in the bottom of the 9th. The inning started when another pitcher, PETE MALLOY, also stroked a pinch-hit, shocking the Missouri based foe with a triple to the deepest reaches of Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in center.

FRANK ALLEN tossed seven solid innings for the Stars, yet exited while trailing 3-1. However, the bullpen failed to keep the team in the contest, allowing five runs in the 8th. Meanwhile, Griffons (that's the way they spell it) starter Nate Van Bibber finished with a complete-game 5-hitter.

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WICHITA, Kan. (8-9-09) — The powerful Seattle Studs, which finished second at last season's National Baseball Congress World Series, made three early runs stand up to nip the San Diego-Barona Stars, 3-0, in Saturday's (Aug. 8) second-round contest at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

The Stars (30-10) stranded 12 runners on base, including the bases loaded in the 3rd and 4th innings, yet failed to manage the key hit to get on the scoreboard. Both times, the Stars placed three runners on with just one out, but Studs starting pitcher Aaron West escaped the jams. Taylor Thompson then tossed the final three innings to collect the save.

San Diego received two hits each from JAKE CHILTON, SHAIN STONER and ALLEN BOYER, but the team went just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position.

The Stars advanced to Sunday morning's elimination round, meeting the Nevada (Mo.) Griffons at 10:30 a.m. CT (8:30 a.m. PT).

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WICHITA, Kan. (8-7-09) — The Barona-San Diego Stars needed to travel halfway across the county to meet a ballclub located just an hour up the freeway, but the results remained the same.

Powered by three hits and a pair of RBI by No. 9 hitter DEREK ANCRUM, all nine starters in the Stars batting order registered basehits to down the Orange County Pioneers, 9-2, in Thursday's (Aug. 7) opener at the 75th annual National Baseball Congress World Series at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

The Pioneers book-ended their runs with single markers in the 1st and 9th innings, but in between it was all Stars, who ran their season record to 30-9.

Ancrum belted a pair of triples to jump-start the offense. In the 2nd, his first triple tied the contest, then Ancrum scored on an infield single by MARIO KNORR to give Barona a 2-1 lead. Two innings later, everyone contributed with extra-base hits.

SHAIN STONER opened the 4th with a double to left-center field, ALLEN BOYER doubled down the left-field line for a 3-1 lead, then Ancrum tripled to right-center for a 4-1 advantage.

Meanwhile, Stars starting pitcher GABE WARD overcame a slow start to pitch 8 1/3 solid innings to collect the victory. MICAH SPENCER registered the final two outs to advance the Stars into a showdown with the powerful Seattle Studs, the defending runners-up in the 2009 NBC World Series.

Stoner matched Ancrum by posting three hits, Boyer went 2-for-4 and scored twice, while second baseman NICK SPEARS posted a 2-run single in the 5th.

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ESCONDIDO (7-23-09) — A revamped San Diego-Barona Stars batting order saw their clean-up hitters relegated to the No. 8 spot in the line-up. Obviously unpleased, both responded with clutch hits to propel the Stars past the host San Diego Waves, 5-4 in 10 innings.

First basemen BRIAN SOS and CHANCE MILES ended slumps to capture Wednesday's (July 21) Western Baseball Association contest.

Sos pounded a pair of curveballs for a deep double off the wall in the 3rd inning, then a 2-run homer in the 5th to give the Stars a 2-1 lead. Miles, in a platoon role, singled home KEVIN LOVELACE (lead double) in the 10th to provide the game-winning run.

GABE WARD, who previously pitched in the Golden Baseball League for the Long Beach Armada, demonstrated the ability to successfully return to pro ball with a monster relief effort. Ward tossed three innings of no-hit ball out of the bullpen to collect the victory. He did hit one batter with a pitch, but the Waves runner was erased on a double-play grounder. Another batter reached on an error, but Stars catcher MATT POWELL threw him out in an attempt to steal second base in the 9th.

The Stars scored single runs over the final three innings to avoid extending their only 2-game losing streak of the summer.

Trailing 4-2, ADRIAN BRINGAS started the comeback by blasting his club-leading 10th homer of the season in the 8th, then RYAN BROSNAN scored from third base on a wild pitch in the 9th.

The Waves opened the day by taking the completion of a suspended game from June 30, as a bad-hop single over the third baseman brought home the deciding run in a 10-9 victory, also in 10 innings.

The Stars (27-9, 12-5 WBA) complete the regular season with a Sunday doubleheader against the Waves, starting at 1 p.m. at Stars Field at Barona. Friday's slated ballgame with the California (Barstow) Crush has been canceled.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-22-09) — In a game which began more than a month ago, only to be suspended by darkness, the San Diego-Barona Stars scored the winning run on a wild pitch with the bases loaded to nip the San Diego Mavericks, 11-10 in 11 innings, in Western Baseball Association action Tuesday.

However, the Mavs rebounded to take the scheduled ballgane, 9-5, in 8 innings (again due to darkness), to all-but-eliminate the Stars from WBA title contention. Barona (26-8, 11-4 WBA) must sweep its remaining five contests this week, then hope the front-running San Diego Force get upset by the Mavericks later this week to forge a first-place tie and a tie-breaker contest.

The Stars won such a tie-breaker over the San Diego Waves to capture the WBA crown last season.

Barona will make-up another suspended contest tonight (Wed., July 22) when they meet the Waves at Escondido High School. The contest, tied at 9-9 through nine innings, starts at 5 p.m., followed by the scheduled game at 6:30 p.m.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-19-09) — In the final non-league ballgames of the season, the reserves on the San Diego-Barona Stars saw plenty of action, but both opponents surprisingly used a majority of its starters as the hosts of Saturday's (July 18) 3-way doubleheader gained a split.

The Stars fell to South League rival San Diego Waves, 8-4, then pounded Western Baseball Association North League rival MLB Academy Airmen, 16-3.

The Waves, which play Barona four times (including the completion of a suspended contest) next week to close the season, went with virtualy the same line-up as in its league game with the Stars. Perhaps, the Escondido based ballclub was attempting to send a message, however, they still needed three runs in the 6th and 7th innings to hold on in the 7-inning contest.

Everyone on the bench got a chance in this one.

Included was a start in right field by AARON RICHARDSON, who is a member of the starting pitching staff. Meanwhile, high school senior-to-be TONY SPEARS replaced his older brother, NICK SPEARS, in the infield in his first Stars appearance.

Both Richardson and Spears shocked their teammates by each collecting doubles which short-hopped the fence in left field.

Miles finished 3-for-4 with four RBI, SHAIN STONER went 3-for-5 with a pair RBI, while three other Stars -- DEREK ANCRUM, KEVIN LOVELACE and MARIO KNORR -- collected two basehits each.

Conversely, outfielder JOE INZONE, who is making the conversion to a pitcher, tossed the first four innings, allowing just one hit. He struck out five, giving Inzone a total of 27 strikeouts in 16 innings this summer.

In the other game in the 3-way doubleheader, the Waves built a 4-0 lead then staved the Comptom based Airmen, 4-3.

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SCRIPPS RANCH (7-16-09) — In a finish astoundingly similar to the decisive play of the 1962 World Series,
San Diego-Barona Stars second baseman SHAIN STONER made the game-saving defensive stop to shock the San Diego Mavericks, 8-7, in Western Baseball Association action at Alliant International University.

Nearly 47 years ago in Game 7, Willie McCovey came to bat with the potential tying and winning runners in scoring position in the bottom of the 9th inning, with his San Francisco Giants trailing the New York Yankees by a run.

McCovery sent a screaming liner toward second base, a smash which would easily have scored the Series-clinching run. However, second baseman Bobby Richardson snared the drive to instead give the Yankees their 20th World Series title.

A world championship wasn't at stake Wednesday (July 15), but that didn't matter to these local rivals. Only two things were different: the Mavericks had the bases loaded, while Stoner needed to knock down a sharp grounder ticketed for right field.

Stoner, completely extended, not only was able to glove the ball, he was able to roll from his belly to his back to give himself a chance to flip the ball toward first base, with BRIAN SOS making the grab to rob Mavs infielder Joe Steirs of a potentail game-winning hit and give the triumph to Barona.

The defensive gem made a winner of Stars pitcher AARON RICHARDSON, who now leads the staff with a 5-0 record after pitching three strong innings in relief of starter MICAH SPENCER. LUCAS SPENCER tossed the 9th inning to garner the save, keeping the Stars in contention of the WBA South Division title.

ADRIAN BRINGAS powered the Stars to an early lead with a 2-run homer in the 1st.

The Mavericks would eventually get even in the 3rd, later taking a 5-4 lead into the 7th thanks to three doubles -- each for an RBI -- by Kyle Myers. The red-shirt first baseman at the University of Utah went 5-for-5.

Barona (24-6, 10-3 WBA) reclaimed the lead with three unearned runs in the 7th, including the tying and go-ahead runs on the same play when the Mavs committed a pair of errors.

ALLEN BOYER capped the rally with a grounder to the right side to allow JOE INZONE to score from third base. Then in the 9th, catcher MATT POWELL recorded a clutch RBI single with two outs for an important insurance run.

NICK SPEARS went 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to 22 games, but JAKE CHILTON saw his 17-game streak end after leaving the game due to injury in an 0-for-2 outing.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-15-09) — For the third time in 11 days, the San Diego-Barona Stars ruined the celebration plans of the San Diego Force.

Buoyed by a 4-for-5 outing by third baseman ADRIAN BRINGAS, plus a 2-run homer by shortstop SHAIN STONER, the Stars again topped the WBA South Division leading Force, 7-3, Tuesday (July 14) at Stars Field.

The string of triumphs include a pair of divisional battles, leaving the teams even in the loss column heading into the final two weeks of the season. The other was a winners bracket final ballgame at the NBC Western Region, a tournament the Stars eventually captured.

Bringas helped stake the Stars (23-6, 9-3 WBA) to an early 4-0 lead, all off Force pitcher Eric Krause, a Granite Hills High product.

Following consecutive basehits by JAKE CHILTON and Bringas in the 1st inning, both scored, the first on a JOE INZONE single, then a sacrifice fly by Stoner.

Bringas posted a run-scoring single to plate ALLEN BOYER in the 2nd, then Stoner tripled in the 3rd, scoring on a NICK SPEARS ground ball. Spears later registered an RBI single in the 5th to extend his hitting streak to 21 consecutive games, while Chilton's hitting streak reached 17 straight contests.

The Force (26-7, 14-3 WBA) came back to within 5-3, but Stoner answered with a 2-run homer just to the right of dead-center field

The Stars hold a difficult path to forge a 1-game playoff for the South Division title. The Force have just three league ballgames remaining, all against teams in the bottom half of the standings.

Meanwhile, the Stars meet the San Diego Mavericks at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Alliant International University. The ballclub then plays seven WBA contests over a 6-day span next week, including the completion of a pair of suspended games from earlier in the season.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-13-09) — The Newport Beach Storm, an independent semipro program, is receiving serious consideration to become members of the Western Baseball Association in 2010. Only one problem: the Storm will need to meet the San Diego-Barona Stars at least four times each season.

On Sunday (July 12), such prospects proved disheartening after JAKE CHILTON slapped a go-ahead, two-run single in the 9th inning, giving the Stars a 4-3 victory to complete a four-game season sweep of the Storm. Barona (22-6 overall) also captured the first game of the doubleheader, 8-2, at Stars Field.

Newport Beach seemed poised to escape with the victory by recording two easy outs after the Stars had loaded the bases. However, Chilton got his hands around an inside fastball and pulled it down the first-base line.

The basehit capped a 3-for-5 outing by Chilton, who caught catcher MATT POWELL for the team lead in batting, each resting at .388 through 30 ballgames.

The Stars' late rally began in fire drill fashion upon the return of manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN from work related to his regular job. "Mickey D" promptly starting pulling strings with a series of substitutions, with each move working to perfection.

GARRET JENNER entered as a pinchhitter and walked. Powell followed with a pinch-hit single, with pitcher EDDIE PRYOR then entering to run for the hobbled Stars catcher. A third pinch-hitter, MICHAEL LANGE, then was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Newport Beach reliever Tim Mahler then registered a pair of strikeouts. But when he challenged Chilton inside, the Stars' centerfielder was able to cap a three RBI outing with the game-winning hit.

Barona pitcher MICAH SPENCER then capped a 3-inning stint of no-hit relief, overcoming a 1-out walk by coaxing a game-ending double play grounder to collect the victory.

Stars infielder NICK SPEARS batted 2-for-4 and 1-for-5 over both contests, extending his hitting streak to 20 consecutive ballgames.

The Stars return to action in a key WBA South Division contest at 5 p.m. Tuesday at home against the first-place San Diego Force. A Stars victory would forge a tie for first between the ballclubs.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-12-09) — Less than 48 hours after allowing the San Diego Marines to gain its first victory of the season, the San Diego-Barona Stars were not about to allow the same thing to happen against the winless Orange County Pros.

The Stars (20-6) raced to a pair of early double-digit leads Saturday (July 11), sweeping the visiting Pros, 13-9 and 16-0, in non-league action at Stars Field.

Centerfielder JAKE CHILTON drove in three runs in the first two innings of the opener, as the Stars took an 8-0 lead, which expanded to 10-0 by the 3rd. For the doubleheader, Chilton batted 5-for-11 with five RBI against Orange County (0-9).

Second baseman ADRIAN BRINGAS added three hits in the opener, then posted a homer and three RBI in the second game. Right fielder JOE INZONE also maintained his hot bat, going 4-for-5 with three runs and three RBI in increase his batting average to .403 for the season.

The nightcap also saw Barona pitchers MELVIN BLACKMON, ANDREW LAYFIELD, MICAH SPENCER and SHAIN STONER combine for the 8-hitter, giving the pitching staff its sixth shutout of the season.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-10-09) — The biggest shocker in semipro baseball in Southern California this season struck the San Diego-Barona Stars straight into the catcher's mask.

Following a pair of no-hit victories over the San Diego Marines. the military men snapped a streak of 16 2/3 innings with a 2nd-inning single. But when they followed up with five runs in the 3rd, then scored five additional runs, the Stars were the ones who fell victim in the Marines' first victory of the season in Thursday's (July 9), 10-2, at Stars Field.

Marines pitcher McClinton Heil allowed just six hits in the seven innings to gain the victory, sending the Stars back into second place a day after gaining a share of the top spot after downing WBA South Division leader San Diego Force.

The Stars host a pair of 1 p.m. doubleheaders this weekend. On Saturday, they host the Orange County Pros, then Sunday entertain the Newport Beach Storm; the Storm twinbill was moved after no fields were available in Orange County.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-9-09) — A pair of players without many opportunities to produce on offense this season both delivered late Wednesday (July 8), powering the San Diego-Barona Stars back into a share of the South Division lead of the Western Baseball Association.

Reserve catcher BRANDON FOWLER delivered a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 8th inning, then back-up first baseman ERIC McKNIGHT delivered an insurance run with a sharp RBI single in the 9th, propelling the Stars past the front-running San Diego Force, 5-2, at Stars Field.

Both the Stars (18-5 overall) and Force are now tied for first place at 8-2.

Fowler received the start because MATT POWELL pulled a leg muscle over the weekend when Barona captured the NBC Western Regional tournament. An inning after throwing out a Force player attempting to steal second base, Fowler was able to lift the ball to center field to score shortstop NICK SPEARS.

McKnight was inserted mid-game on Wednesday (July 8), sending a sharp liner to the opposite field to score ADRIAN BRINGAS, who accepted a 1-out walk, then moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. McKnight later scored on a bases-loaded walk to SHAIN STONER.

The Stars trailed most of the way at 2-1 before catching the Force in the 7th when a blooper behind second base by JAKE CHILTON was unplayable by the defense, allowing ALLEN BOYER to waltz home to tie the ballgame.

Meanwhile, Stars starting pitcher AARON RICHARDSON overcame a high pitch count in the early innings to keep his team close. Richardson allowed two runs (one earned) over seven innings, but performed better the deeper into the contest he pitched.

Relief pitcher MICAH SPENCER then tossed two innings of shutout ball to gain the save, yielding just one basehit.

Right fielder JOE INZONE continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-5. Bringas scored twice, once on his solo homer to right-center in the 3rd.

The Stars can gain the WBA South lead outright on Thursday when they host the San Diego Marines in a 5 p.m. start. Meanwhile, the Force travel to meet the third-place San Diego Waves, who rest just 1 1/2 games behind the leaders and defeated the Force during NBC Regional play last Sunday.

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BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-7-09) — Fueled by a 2-for-3, three RBI performance by MARIO KNORR, the tournament's most outstanding player, the San Diego-Barona Stars leaped to a fast 10-0 lead, taking out challenger bracket winner San Diego Waves to claim the National Baseball Congress Western Regional in Monday's (July 6) playback final at Stars Field.

Knorr, a former Arizona Diamondbacks farmhand and a local product out of El Capitan High, led the tournament with a .524 (11-for-21) batting average, with five doubles and seven runs scored. Even more incredible, Knorr, the Stars' designated hitter, recorded seven RBI in five contests from the leadoff spot in the batting order.

Often, the key to capturing any double-elimination event is pitching staff depth. And the Stars found that bonus arm in FRANK ALLEN, who made his starting pitching debut for Barona. Allen tossed six innings of 4-hit ball, allowing just a single run on a sacrifice fly to Waves catcher Ben Vasko in the 5th inning. But by then, the Stars already owned a double-digit lead.

Included were four runs in the 2nd, then six more in the 4th to basically clinch the ballclub's berth to the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan.

Knorr delivered the first major blow, clearing the loaded bases with a 3-run double to right-center field for a 3-0 advantage. Second baseman ADRIAN BRINGAS, who batted .500 and registered a tournament-high nine RBI in the week-long event, drove home Knorr with a basehit to right field.

In the 4th, Knorr started the rally with a 1-out single. Key hits included a 2-run single by NICK SPEARS, BRYSON LUKACIK singled home a run, then the Waves gave away three runs on a wild pitch, KEVIN LOVELACE was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, while a throwing error plated another run.

The bullpen then chopped the Waves (19-14) with three innings of no-hit relief, with JOE INZONE pitching the 7th, then EDDIE PRYOR going the final two frames to officially secure the championship.

The Stars return to Western Baseball Association action Wednesday hosting the front-running San Diego Force at 5 p.m.

NBC Western Regionals - July 2-6

Thurs., July 2 Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4 San Diego Force 5, Newport Beach Storm 4 San Diego Mavericks 6, San Diego Marines 2 San Diego Waves 8, So. Calif. Bombers 1 S.D.-Barona Stars 11, South Bay Saints 0 (8 inn.; run rule) Fri., July 3 Game 5 Game 6 Game 7 Game 8 Winners bracket San Diego Force 10, San Diego Mavericks 8 S.D.-Barona Stars 14, San Diego Waves 9 Challengers bracket Newport Beach Storm 23, San Diego Marines 0 So. Calif. Bombers 9, South Bay Saints 6 Sat., July 4 Game 9 Game 10 Game 11 Game 12 Challengers bracket San Diego Waves 8, Newport Beach Storm 6 So. Calif. Bombers 17, San Diego Mavericks 11 Challengers bracket semifinals San Diego Waves 8, So. Calif. Bombers 7 Winners bracket final S.D.-Barona Stars 9, San Diego Force 6 Sun., July 5 Game 13 Game 14 Game 15 All at Stars Field, Barona Challengers bracket final: S.D. Waves 9, S.D. Force 6 Championship: San Diego Waves 10, S.D.-Barona Stars 8 (14 inn.) Playback final: ppd., darkness Mon., July 6 Game 15 Playback final: S.D.-Barona Stars 11, San Diego Waves 1

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-6-09) — A difficult setback still did not deter the San Diego-Barona Stars from the National Baseball Congress Western Regional, which was extended one day following Sunday's (July 5) marathon.

Coming out of the challengers bracket, the San Diego Waves outlasted the Stars, 10-8 in 14 innings, forcing a playback final in the double-elimination event. Only one problem: the ballgame took 4:40 to complete, leaving not enough daylight to warrant starting the day's third game.

The Waves scored twice in the 6th inning to tie the contest at 2-2, then the offenses came out to play in extra innings.

Twice, the Waves scored in extended play – twice in the 10th and a run in the 13th – only to see the Stars reach back to get even.

Even in the 14th, after the Waves scored five times, Barona (16-5 overall) answered with three runs and placed the potential game-winning runner on after loading the bases.

For the Stars, MARIO KNORR, JAKE CHILTON, ADRiAN BRINGAS and MATT POWELL registered two hits each. For the Waves, Drake Fages and Tommie Cheek recorded four hits each among the team's season-high 19 basehits.

Stars Stuff — The Stars welcomed STEPHEN STRASBURG, the No. 1 pick in Major League Baseball's recent first-year player draft, in attendance. The San Diego State pitcher who preped at West Hills High recently captured the Dick Howser Award as college baseball's national player of the year.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-5-09) — Right fielder JOE INZONE smacked a tie-breaking, 2-run double in the 9th inning during Saturday's (July 4) winners bracket final, moving the San Diego-Barona Stars into prime position to capture the NBC Western Regional following an exciting 9-6 triumph over the San Diego Force at Stars Field.

The Stars (16-4) move into Sunday's championship round at 1 p.m., while the Force, after suffering their first loss in the double-elimination event, meets the San Diego Waves in the 10 a.m. challenger bracket finale.

Inzone finally decided a see-saw contest which saw three lead changes. After the Force elected to load the bases by intentionally walking catcher MATT POWELL, who entered the contest as the Stars' leading batter (.389), the strategy backfired when Inzone sent a blast to the wall in right-center field to bring home NICK SPEARS and BRIAN SOS for an 8-6 lead.

ADRIAN BRINGAS, who went 4-for-4, then was also intentionally walked, but the Force still gave away a run. SHAIN STONER smacked a line drive to shortstop for the inning's second out, but a relay to escape the jam with a double play went array when the ball was dropped, allowing pinch-runner AARON RICHARDSON to come home from third base.

Stars relief pitcher GABE WARD then completed his 2-inning stint of no-hit ball to collect the victory and propel Barona into the tournament's money round.

Inzone finished the day by batting 2-for-5 with three RBI, while MARIO KNORR went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored.

For the Force, Granite Hills High product TRAVIS TAIJERON went 2-for-4 with two RBI, another ex-Eagle in JOSH MILLER went 2-for-3 and scored three times, while Steve Winnick knocked home three runs.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (7-4-09) — Ignited by a 3-run double from catcher MATT POWELL and the first of two home runs by second baseball ADRIAN BRINGAS, the San Diego-Barona Stars chased the starting pitcher from the San Diego Waves before the conclusion of the 1st inning, scoring seven times en route to a 14-9 victory in Saturday's (July 2) semifinals of the NBC Western Regional at Stars Field.

The Stars (15-4) will meet Western Baseball Association rival San Diego Force in Saturday's semifinals, slated for 3:30 p.m.

Powell's blast went over the Waves centerfielder for a 4-0 lead. "Pork Chop" then waltzed home when Bringas deposited the next pitch over the wall in left field. Bringas later added another 2-run homer in the 4th, pushing the advantage to 12-3.

The huge cushion allowed Stars pitcher Lucas Whitmore to breeze to the victory. He allowed just two hits. The lead also allowed newcomer ANDREW LAYFIELD to make his initial Stars appearance, then KEVIN BECKER tossed the final 3 1/3 innings to gain his first save of the season.

JOE INZONE added two hits and a pair of RBI, infielder NICK SPEARS went 3-for-6 and scored twice, while veterans MARIO KNORR and BRIAN SOS each added a pair of basehits.

The winner of Saturday's winners bracket final is guaranteed a berth in Sunday's championship round. The loser will need to win three games on the final day to win the regional to clinch a berth to the NBC World Series.

The San Diego-Barona Stars received home runs from three players, while a trio of teammates combined on a 5-hit shutout, as the Stars pasted the visiting South Bay (Carson) Saints, 11-0, in Thursday's (July 2) opening round of the National Baseball Congress' Western Regionals, held at Stars Field. The tournament winner earns a berth to the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan., next month.

The pitching was domintaed by starter MELVIN BLACKMON, who blanked the Saints for five strong innings. JASON BROWN yielded only a bloop single in his two innings, then EDDIE PRYOR bounced back from a rough start in his last outing with a solid effort in the 8th inning. Pryor coaxed an inning-ending, double play grounder, which ended the ballgame via the run rule.

For Blackmon, it was his third victory of the season to match teammate AARON RICHARDSON for the team lead.

Veteran first baseman BRIAN SOS started the fireworks displays with the bats with a 2-run shot to left in the 1st. JOE INZONE added a lead homer in the 4th, then SHAIN STONER blasted a 3-run shot in the 8th.

Meanwhile, catcher MATT POWELL added two more basehits, taking over the ballclub's leadership with a .389 batting average.

The Stars advance to the winners bracket semifinals, slated for Friday at 4:30 p.m. Three additional victories in-a-row would stamp the team's ticket in the NBC World Series.

Stars Stuff — Former El Cajon Valley High and Grossmont College standout CLIFTON THOMAS was named the Texas Collegiate League's player of the week for the period ending June 28. Thomas, the centerfielder for the first-place Brazos Valley Bombers, is already within one of the club record for triples in a summer season. All Bombers contests can be heard HERE.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-29-09) — Following two days of cancelations from ballclubs which pretty figured out they had no chance of competing, the San Diego-Barona Stars vented against the visiting California Crush, taking out the the Barstow based program with a pair of shutout victories at Stars Field.

The Stars posted their second-biggest one-sided margin of the season in a 19-0 drubbing in seven innings. The nightcap lasted an inning longer before MATT POWELL delivered the walkoff RBI basehit in a 10-0 pasting.

Stars pitchers allowed just three hits all afternoon, spinning a 1-hitter in the opener, including five no-hit innings by starter JASON BROWN. The pitching staff collected 14 strikeouts in the opener. Meanwhile, second baseman ADRIAN BRINGAS fueled the offense by driving home five runs, including a 3-run homer in the 2nd for an 8-0 advantage, while right fielder JAKE CHILTON batted 4-for-5 and drove in three more runs.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-26-09) — In a battle of Western Baseball Association leaders, the San Diego Force took advantage of six walks and a hit batter in the 2nd inning to score nine times, strolling past the San Diego-Barona Stars, 12-7, Thursday (June 25) at Stars Field.

The Force (14-3, 7-1 WBA) mounted a 12-0 lead before the Stars (11-4, 5-2 WBA) could make a challenge, including five runs in the 7th.

Force shortstop Tyler Kuehl, who plays collegiately for Point Loma Nazarene, went 3-for-5, including a 2-run single in the 2nd on a broken bat looper to left field. Kuehl registered three RBI in the contest.

Stars catcher MATT POWELL, who was an NAIA All-America selection for Southern Nazarene (Okla.) this past season, collected three of Barona's 11 hits, including a double which hit the base of the fence at the 400-foot marker in center field.

Stars reliever MELVIN BLACKMON closed the contest with three shutout innings of 2-hit ball, recording six of the ballclub's 12 strikeouts.

Star Stuff – Friday's home game with the expansion Orange County Pros was canceled when the visitors announced they couldn't corral enough players. Tickets for the contest may be exchanged for any regular season game over the balance of the season.... The Stars complete the homestand with consecutive doubleheaders over the weekend. On Saturday, the first-year Yuma (Ariz.) Diablos come to town, then the California Crush of Barstow return for a WBA twinbill. Both start at 1 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-24-09) — Moments after the San Diego-Barona Stars allowed an 8-3 lead to slip away, the visiting San Diego Mavericks returned the favor.

After the Mavs scored twice in the 10th inning to claim a 10-8 lead, a fielding error allowed pinchrunner AARON RICHARDSON to score the game-tying run, as the teams settled for a suspended game as darkness fell upon Stars Field in Western Baseball Association action Tuesday (June 23).

The ballgame will be continued prior to the teams' next scheduled contest on July 21, with a new start time of 4:30 p.m.

It was bad enough when the Stars allowed a 3-0 advantage in the 1st inning to slip away on a 3-base error in the 3rd. But after reclaiming an 8-3 nod, the Mavericks chipped away to finally get even in a Marshall Harvey sacrifice fly in the 9th.

An inning later, the Mavs' Travis Pasiecznik, who hit a pinch-hit homer in the 7th, stroked a go-ahead double, then came home on a pair of wild pitches for a 10-8 lead.

However, the Stars forged back when an ANTHONY BENNER grounder to the right side brought in a run. But when the first baseman dropped the ball, Richardson took the extra base to score for BRIAN SOS, who doubled.

Earlier, Sos followed RYAN HULBERT with consecutive RBI doubles in the 1st.

Despite some solid pitching, including a collective 13 strikeouts by four Stars pitchers, both ballclubs scored five times on errors. Stars starter GABE WARD gained five strikeouts in five innings, but lost credit for the victory on Harvey's sacrifice.

Barona (11-3) continues its week-long homestand with six games over four days, starting Thursday with a 5 p.m. WBA affair against the San Diego Force.

© East County Sports.com
COMPTON (6-20-09) — The San Diego-Barona Stars finished in fourth place at the National Baseball Congress qualifying event, held at MLB Urban Youth Academy at Compton College and CSU Dominguez Hills.

Following a first-round bye, the Stars captured their winners bracket quarterfinal game on Thursday (June 18), downing the South Bay Saints, 13-8, on their home field at CSUDH. Because of scheduling difficulties, the Stars then played three times on Saturday, but lost twice to get eliminiated prior to Sunday's money rounds.

The first loss came at the hands of the Rancho Belago Rockets, headed by former MLB standout Derrel Thomas, in 1 13-7 decision. Barona then bounced back to down the Southern California Bombers, 6-0, on a 4-hit shutout by AARON RICHARDSON. Game Three saw the Stars get blanked by the California Mariners, 7-0.

© East County Sports.com
SCRIPPS RANCH (6-17-09) — Following a solid start in the exhibition season, which included three home runs over six contests, big things were yet again expected from veteran first baseman BRIAN SOS of the San Diego-Barona Stars.

However, despite an average well over .300, Sos opened the season without a homer in nine starts.

The power slump ended Tuesday (June 16).

Sos delivered a mammoth 3-run shot to the top of the hill beyond the left-field fence at Alliant International University for a fast 3-0 lead in the 1st inning, powering the Stars to a 9-4 pasting of the San Diego Mavericks in Western Baseball Association action.

The triumph keeps the Stars (9-1 overall) in a first-place tie with the San Diego Force at 5-1 in the WBA standings.

Sos' shot started a 3-for-4 outing for the 18-year veteran of the semipro circuit, also scoring a pair of runs.

Meanwhile, centerfielder JOE INZONE batted 2-for-4 with an RBI, then pitched the 9th inning, the last of seven Barona pitchers. JAMES TREBUS tossed three innings of 1-hit ball, then the Stars paraded six other hurlers for one frame each in preparation of this weekend's NBC Qualifier Tournament at CSU Dominguez Hills and the MLB Urban Academy in Compton.

Catcher MATT POWELL batted 3-for-5 while BRYSON LUKACIK went 2-for3 with a pair of runs scored.

The Stars open the tournament against either the South Bay (Carson) Saints or the Orange County Pros in a 4 p.m. contest Thursday (June 18) at CSUDH.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-15-09) — The San Diego-Barona Stars were not fooled after sweeping the South Bay (Carson) Saints in Sunday's (June 14) non-league doubleheader at Stars Field.

Despite lopsided victories of 15-4 and 11-2, the Stars (8-1 overall) know this was not the same lineup they will probably face in their Thursday opener of an NBC Qualifier Tournament, to be held at CSU Dominiguez Hills.

The Stars. which received a first-round bye in the event, will meet the winner between the Saints and the expansion Orange County Pros. The double-elimination event then switches to the Major League Baseball Urban Academy in Compton over the balance of the weekend.

In the opener, the Saints brought just enough pitching for five innings in a see-saw contest before the Stars erupted for nine runs in the 6th inning. ALLAN BOYER and MATT POWELL each stroked 2-run singles in a frame aided by six walks and a hit batter with the bases loaded to give JOE INZONE an RBI.

ANTHONY LOPEZ blasted a 2-run homer in the 8th, which proved to be a walk-off shot to right field even though there is a no "run rule" in semipro baseball. No one was complaining.

Game Two saw South Bay jump to a quick 2-0 lead on a John Laite home run, but the Saints mustered just four additional hits the rest of the way while Barona posted 11 unanswered runs.

Included was a go-ahead, 2-run double by ERIK McKNIGHT for a 3-2 lead in the 1st, helping ake a winner of AARON RICHARDSON, who struck out three in two innings of relief.

The Stars return to Western Baseball Association action Tuesday (June 16) with a road game against the San Diego Mavericks, slated for 5 p.m. at Alliant International University.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-14-09) — The expansion California Crush did not bring an array of hard-throwing pitchers to the Western Baseball Association. In fact, the best the Barstow based ballclub could muster on the radar gun was a less-than-amazing 67 miles per hour – high school softball pitchers do as well.

And it took the San Diego-Barona Stars more than six innings to adjust. While Crush pitcher Adam Heile took a no-hitter into the 7th, the Stars bounced off the mat to crunch the Crush, 3-1, in Saturday's (June 13) WBA ballgame at Stars Field.

Coupled with the double-header split between the San Diego Force and the San Diego (formerly North County) Waves, the Stars
(6-1 overall, 4-1 WBA) regained first place in the standings, one half-game ahead of the Force.

During the span when the Stars went hitless, the Crush managed just a single basehit of its own before breaking through with the game's first run in the 7th, when first baseman Matt Hernandez singled home Wesley Watson.

However, the Stars tied it in the 7th on a sacrifice fly by late-inning substitute ANTHONY LOPEZ. His fly ball to center brought home SHAIN STONER, who reached on a single, then moved around with a stolen base and a passed ball.

The Stars then continued their season-long habit with yet another big offensive rally in the 8th, which proved to be the difference.

Following a walk to right fielder JAKE CHILTON, third baseman ADRIAN BRINGAS singled to left. But when the ball skipped past the defender – the fifth Crush error of the ballgame – Chilton motored around the bases with the go-ahead run. Stoner then plated Bringas with a two-out single.

The rally made a winner of Stars relief pitcher RYAN LIVINGSTONE, who tossed two shutouts innings for his first career victory, clinched when catcher MATT POWELL picked off a runner at second base on a strikeout/throw out double play.

The Stars host the South Bay Saints in Sunday's non-league double-header, starting at 1 p.m.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (6-12-09) — Following his All-America season as a catcher for Southern Nazarene University of Oklahoma, former Helix High standout MATT POWELL wanted a chance to return to the mound. So San Diego-Barona Stars manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN gave Powell his shot to once again pitch.

Playing against Western Baseball Association rival San Diego Marines, Powell would be hard-pressed to match the ballclub's last outing against the Oceanside based team, when MICAH SPENCER tossed a no-hitter last Saturday.

Although wild with four walks, Powell did not allow a hit in his two-plus innings. And neither did former Grossmont College pitcher AARON RICHARDSON in his three frames of work. And neither did GABE WARD or MELVIN BLACKMON, Jr.

In a feat rare at any level of baseball, the quartet of Stars pitchers yielded 10 walks and a pair of hit batsmen, but did not allow a hit in Thursday's (June 11) 6-2 victory in the team's second straight win by no-hitter against the Marines.

The Marines took a quick 2-0 lead following a pair of early walks. Both baserunners took off on a double steal, but when the throw sailed into centerfield instead of second base, both scored unearned runs.

The Stars eventually rallied to take a 3-2 lead, utilizing consecutive doubles by RYNE HULBERT, ERIC McKNIGHT and pinchhitter JOE INZONE to take the lead in the 7th inning. Barona then added three runs in the 8th before the Marines made things interesting.

A walk and a pair of errors – the second could be considered controversial when a potential infield single saw the ball dropped at second base on a fielder's choice play – saw the Marines load the bases with one out.

However, Inzone, now in right field, made the catch for the second out, then fired home to catcher BRANDON FOWLER for the game-ending double play.

McKnight finished by batting 3-for-4, with a walk and three RBI, including a game-tying basehit in the 5th.

Ward gained the victory for the Stars (5-1, 3-1 WBA), while Blackmon earned the save.

The Stars return home on Saturday (June 13), as the road game against the California ( Barstow ) Crush has been relocated. Game time has also been switched to 5 p.m. On Sunday (June 14), the South Bay Saints (the summer program for Cal State Dominguez Hills) play a double-header at Stars Field at 1 p.m.

Included was a 1st-inning double, eventually scoring the game's first run. He also lined a single to center in the 8th, but when the outfielder allow the ball to slide through, the error opened the floodgates to a 3-run innings to break open a close ballgame.

Force pitcher Vidal Nuno tossed 5-hit ball over seven innings, with Stars right fielder MARIO KNORR collecting a pair of hits in the Stars' first setback of the season.

The Stars (4-1, 2-1 WBA) return home Thursday at 5 p.m. to host the San Diego Marines.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESVERVATION (6-8-09) — The San Diego-Barona Stars utilized a pair of big innings in the late going to secure a doubleheader sweep of the Newport (Newport Beach) Storm in non-league semipro baseball action Sunday (June 7) at Stars Field.

Adrian Bringas

SHAIN STONER started the outburst with a 2-run double, backing the pitching of JOE INZONE. The converted outfielder out of Steele Canyon High just ticked at 90 MPH on the radar gun for the first time ever, registering nine strikeouts in five innings, including seven of the first nine outs on Ks in a solid effort.

Newport held a 5-2 lead in the nightcap, but the Stars got even in the 5th before unleashing on the Strom bullpen in the 8th. Stoner delivered the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly, following by RBI basehits by NICK SPEARS and Bringas.

Micah Spencer

© East County Sports.com
OCEANSIDE (6-7-09) — Following an unacceptable 5-3 victory in their Western Baseball Association opener, the Barona-San Diego Stars took a wake-up call to heart.

Told that more was expected against a team which they whipped, 16-1, in exhibition play just a week earlier, the Stars established several batting records while pitcher MICAH SPENCER tossed a no-hitter in a 28-0 thrashing of the San Diego Marines in the second game of a Western Baseball Association doubleheader at Oceanside High School's Geary Field.

The right-hander from Modesto finished with eight strikeouts, four walks and a hit batsman.

During the 15-run eruption, the Stars attempted to keep the score down by going station-to-station with their baserunners – but it didn't matter. During one stretch, 15 consecutive batters gain an RBI via basehits or walks (plus one on a ground out) as 20 players took turns at the plate during the onslaught.

The previous franchise record for runs was 27 for the 29-year old ballclub.

Barona posted seven runs in the 1st, including a 2-run double by BRYSON LUKACIK and a 2-run single by JAKE CHILTON.

Veteran first baseman BRIAN SOS also added three RBI, including one on a scratch single in the 3rd. Sos also paced the offense in the opener by going 2-for-3 to finish the afternoon with four basehits.

Game One also saw a trio of Stars pitchers combine on a 3-hitter. AARON RICHARDSON yielded a pair of singles through the first six innings, with MELVIN BLACKMON, Jr., tossed the final 2 1/3 frames for the save.

The Stars (2-0) return to action with a Sunday (June 7) non-league doubleheader at home against the Newport ( Newport Beach ) Storm, starting at 1 p.m. at Stars Field at Barona.

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (5-26-09) — The Barona-San Diego Stars, which once trailed 6-0, scored six times in the 7th inning, eventually nipping the Southern California Express, 7-6 in 12 innings, to capture its own Stars & Stripes Memorial Day Weekend Tournament at Stars Field.

The Express took Sunday's (May 25) second game, 5-2, but the Stars had already clinched the double round-robin event.

One day after CHANCE MILES slugged a home run in an attempt to steal the starting job at first base, veteran BRIAN SOS answered back by slugging a dramatic 3-run homer to trim the deficit to 6-5. Sos' shot went well over the 375-foot marker in left-center field.

ALLEN BOYER then walked, took second base on a wild pitch, then knotted the game on a basehit by NICK SPEARS.

The Stars utilized a two-out rally in the 12th, when DEREK ANCRUM reached on a bad-hop basehit which bounded over the Express second baseman. Catcher MATT POWELL walked to move Ancrum into scoring position, then third baseman ANTHONY BENNER laced a basehit through the right side to clinch the first-place trophy.

Benner finishing by going 2-for-4 with two RBI and a pair of walks, while SHAIN STONER blasted five consecutive line drives in a 2-for-6 outing – three went directly to Express outfielders.

Stars starting pitcher JAMES TREBUS tossed three shutout innings, with reliever KEVIN BECKER gaining the victory with his own trio of scoreless frames. Becker followed MELVIN BLACKMON, Jr., who also blanked the Express for three innings on four strikeouts.

Chance Miles (Photo by John Mitchell)

© East County Sports.com
BARONA INDIAN RESERVATION (5-25-09) — The Barona-San Diego Stars received a second chance to capture it exhibition opener, courtesy of CHANCE MILES. The first baseman out of Tabor College (Kan.) slugged a tie-breaking home run in the 9th inning Sunday (May 24), lifting the Barona-San Diego Stars to an 8-7 victory over the San Diego Natives in the Stripes & Stripes Memorial Day Weekend Tournament at Stars Field.

Miles, the heir apparent at first base to 18-year veteran BRIAN SOS, was a two-time All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (2005-06). He launched a leadoff shot to right field after the Stars allowed a 7-0 lead to slip away when the Natives scored seven times in the 8th.

Miles, 25, a native of Gillette, Wyo., came to San Diego after gaining an internship with the San Diego Padres. He then was discovered by a talent agency and is currently a professional model when not playing for the Stars.

EDDIE PRYOR, who recently completed his career at San Diego Christian College, dominated the Natives in the early going. He struck out 9 batters among the first 10 outs, finishing with 11 strikeouts over six shutout innings of work, allowing just two hits.

© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (4-13-09) — The Barona-San Diego Stars semipro baseball team, defending champions of the Western Baseball Association and a participant in the National Baseball Congress World Series, will be holding tryouts for the 2009 summer season.

This season's tryouts will be held on Sat., May 9 and Sun., May 17, 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 9 a.m., followed by the tryouts at 10 a.m.

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 five seasons, plus an array of domestic and international tournament crowns. Several Stars alumni have advanced to "The Show," including MARCUS GILES (drafted by Atlanta Braves), MIKE JACOBS (New York Mets), DAVID CORTEZ (Atlanta Braves) and MIKE FRANK (Cincinnati Reds).

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