Down to their last strike, Green Valley posts spirited rally

Never underestimate the heart of a champion.

The Durango Trailblazers learned that lesson the hard way on Wednesday, as six-time defending state baseball champion Green Valley pulled off a most improbable rally for a 6-4 win in Round 1 of this year's 4A Southern Zone Tournament.

The Trailblazers -- the state's top-ranked club and the hosts for the event's first week -- came within a single strike of advancing and sending the Gators into the consolation bracket.

But Green Valley, overlooked for most of the 1999 season, proved its mettle in a pressure-filled seventh inning, plating three runs to move on in the double-elimination event.

"They showed a lot of heart and desire," first-year Gator coach Nick Garritano. "This team's been through a lot this year. They really showed the will to win."

Waiting for Garritano's team in Round 2 will be a familiar opponent: Sunrise Division rival Silverado. The Skyhawks advanced with a 9-5 victory over Cheyenne in game two, setting up a postseason meeting between neighboring schools.

"The Sunrise did all right today," Silverado coach Brian Whitaker said. "I said we'd see them again this year. They're a good ballclub and they're going good right now."

* GREEN VALLEY 6, DURANGO 4: "I went up there knowing I'd get a hit." That's what Green Valley junior Nate Shue had to say after his two-out, two-strike single in the top of the seventh saved the day for the Gators.

"I got down to two strikes and that's usually when I do my best," said Shue, who fouled off one two-strike pitch before poking a base hit into short left field. John Slack scored from second on the play, knotting the score at four.

"Nate's done a great job all year," Garritano said. "He hits the ball all around the field. He's stepped it up and done a great job for us."

Gator junior Billy Schmitt -- the next batter up -- followed Shue's heroics with some of his own, sending pitcher Eric Kilby's first offering into right field to plate Dave Krynzel.

Suddenly, moments after trailing by a run, Green Valley (17-9) found itself ahead by one. And when Durango shortstop Brandon Perry misplayed Kyle Reed's ground ball, Shue came around to add a little insurance.

Now, it was Durango's turn to put on the rally caps. Green Valley reliever Anthony Scarpelli had other plans, however, working a quick 1-2-3 bottom half to close out the stunning win.

"We're here to play and we're here to win," Garritano said. "We still have a lot of baseball to play. I'm happy the kids are staying positive and playing hard."

Although the Trailblazers scored four runs in the game's first three innings, the Gators never let their opponents out of their sights. Green Valley pitchers Jake Dittler and Scarpelli limited limited Durango's normally high-powered offense to three singles over the final four innings to set up the comeback.

The Gators were also aggressive on the basepaths, stealing four bases and stretching potential singles into doubles on two occasions. Leadoff hitter Garrett Guzman, in particular, terrorized the hosts all day, going 3-for-4 with an RBI, a steal and a double. Matt Stratton also added a solo home run for Green Valley.

Durango also notched a solo homer in the game, courtesy of Chris Kelly. Trailblazer second baseman John DiBetta provided a big bat in the losing cause, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

Durango (27-3) will face Cheyenne (17-8) Friday at 4 p.m. in a loser's-out contest.

* SILVERADO 9, CHEYENNE 5: The Skyhawks came out looking like anything but a club that rolled to this year's Sunrise Division title, then righted their ship in a hurry to move on in the tournament.

Silverado's normally sure-handed middle infield tandem of Ryan Ruiz and Mike Eshragh combined for three errors in the third inning, paving the way for three Cheyenne runs.

"It was pretty sloppy playoff baseball," Whitaker admitted. "I think our nerves were running high."

The Skyhawks (17-5) had no cause for alarm, though, as the club's murderous batting order quickly put up four runs in the bottom of the third, then added five more in their half of the fourth.

Although the entire Silverado order got into the act, James Wickman and Tommy Rojas led the charge, combining for five RBIs during the two critical frames.

The Skyhawks also got some serious help from Desert Shield starter Cliff McMachen, who walked seven batters before exiting after the fourth inning. Three of those free passes were issued to area batting champ Jeremy West, who managed to score two runs and drive in another without notching a base hit.

After his defense shored up behind him, Silverado starter Robbie Van shut down Cheyenne's dangerous lineup despite pitching, in his words, "without my best stuff."

Van went the distance, scattering four hits over seven innings of work. He struck out five batters, and retired eight of the final 10 hitters he faced. Best of all for the Skyhawks, Van's performance allowed Whitaker to keep his bullpen fresh for Friday's battle with the Gators, which is slated for 10 a.m.

First-round tournament action continues at Durango today with Bishop Gorman (24-4) taking on Basic (15-9) at 4 p.m. and Chaparral (18-8) meeting up with Cimarron-Memorial (18-7) at 7 p.m.

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