By Gary Montgomery

Staff Writer

High School baseball generally operates in its own universe far away from the kind of limelight enjoyed by football and basketball. With most games starting at 3:30 in the afternoon the stands are usually pretty empty. The lone exception are those dedicated parents dashing out of the office early to get to their son's games.

Friday's East County All Star Game at Fiscalini Field gave all an opportunity to see some of the Eastern Inland Empire's finest young baseball players. Many of these young stars will head to area schools to continue their career. Fifty-four players representing 22 schools split into Blue and Gray squads took to the field.

North Stars - (L-R) Richard Gaston, Mike Mescer, Mike Flores, Ben Perez all form J.W. North were members of the winning Gray Squad.

The Gray Squad ran out to and early 3-1 lead on and RBI single by Yucaipa's Alex Espinoza driving in teammate Nathan White.

San Gorgonio's John Beld pushed the Blue to 3-2 on his RBI single before Redlands' Jeremiah Hotchner moved the Gray out front 4-2 with a solo blast to left.

Bobby Vasquez, MVP of the Blue team tied the score at 4-4 with a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning of Ontario Colony's Dwight Robinson.

The score remained tied at 4-4 lead until the top of the eighth when Rialto Carter's Billy Hamilton hit a triple down the right field line scoring a run and making it a one run game. After another single, Fontana Miller's Torin Curtis was inserted as a pitch runner. When Fontana Carter's Matt Frazier hit a single in the eight to score Curtis and seal the win for the Gray Squad.

"This was a lot of fun. We played a little harder than they did and when our bats started working they brought us home." said Curtis after scoring the winning run. 

Throwin Heat - Ontario Colony's Dwight Robinson delivers a pitch during the East County High School Baseball All Star Game in San Bernardino. Robinson was the winning pitcher with the Gray Squad winning 6-4.

"I felt really good out there tonight, my stuff was working ok, we have enough to win the game," said Robinson. 

Moreno Valley Rancho Verde's Bobby Vasquez was awarder the MVP honors for the Blue Squad after a towering two run homer in the seventh.

This was a great game and a great opportunity for these kids; you will see a lot of them around area schools next year," said winning Coach Darren Espinoza of Rialto High.

By Jon Gaede

Staff Writer

Family Affair - A.B. Miller’s speedy infielder, Torin Curtis poses with his brother UCLA infielder Jermaine Curtis.

The older Curtis made the trek from Westwood to watch his younger brother make his final appearance as a high schooler.  Jermaine is a sophomore infielder for the UCLA Bruin Baseball Team and outstanding Major League prospect. Just one week earlier, Jermaine hit .500 in the NCAA Regional in Long Beach and was named All Region Most Valuable Player. Curtis had the stadium buzzing with his outstanding play during the NCAA Regional.  

County All Star - A.B. Miller’s Jermaine Curtis, a standout rebel player enjoys a moment at the San Bernardino vs. Riverside All-Star Game.

Torin is currently undecided at this point where he will play collegiate baseball.  It is a sure bet that he will be running the base pads somewhere next spring.  It's also a safe bet that you will be hearing a lot more from the Curtis Brothers.

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