Columnist Spencer Patterson: Give southern schools the edge in baseball, but not in softball

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, April 27, 2000 | 11:17 a.m.

Spencer Patterson's prep sports notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or 259-4085.

With the prep postseason set to begin next week, it's time to examine Southern Nevada's chances of capturing baseball and softball state championships in the coming month.

Earlier this week, Northern Nevada's chances of contending for its first large-school state baseball title since 1992 were dealt a severe blow when Galena -- one of the top two teams in the Reno-area -- was declared ineligible for the playoffs.

The Grizzlies, who put together a solid 19-5 conference season, were forced to forfeit 11 league contests for using an ineligible player. That knocked Galena from the No. 2 seed in next week's 4A Northern Region Tournament to the 10th position -- out of the eight playoff seeds.

Reno High -- the north's top threat to capture a state championship -- remains very much alive, however, and could have a legitimate chance to earn a spot in the 4A title game slated May 20 at Las Vegas' Burkholder Field.

The Huskies, the lone northern squad that participates in American Legion ball in the summertime, know what it takes to beat the stiff competition from its neighbors to the south. Reno is deep, well-coached and has a legitimate ace in senior right-hander Marc Kaiser.

More importantly, the Huskies may reap the benefits of brutal Sunrise and Sunset Region tournaments that could leave the south's state representatives tired and beaten up.

Still, the "smart money" remains squarely on another southern champion in baseball, with the trophy most likely going to whoever emerges from the ridiculously tough Southeast Division.

In softball, Northern Nevada's chances of retaining the large-school state title for the seventh straight year look like a sure thing as the regional playoffs approach.

Though the north's overall dominance appears to have slipped a bit in 2000, Reno's Wooster High has separated itself from the pack with a dominant 25-2 season. The Colts' only losses were to California schools.

Wooster not only features the returning Sun State Player of the Year in pitcher Chelsea Crosby, but also has unparalleled depth on the mound with hard-throwing veteran Jenne Bator and freshman Brianne McGowan.

The north is also home to several other talented squads, including defending state champion Galena, 1998 titlist Reed and strong Carson and Reno teams. But the Colts erased any doubts they are the odds-on favorites with an easy sweep over Reno -- the north's No. 2 seed -- last weekend.

Bonanza and Silverado look like the class of the south once again, but they'll certainly have their work cut out for them if they hope to reach a potential matchup with Wooster.

* SPRING BREAK ROUNDUP: Basic's baseball team picked up some momentum heading into the final week of the regular season, capturing the adidas Invitational at Durango with a 4-1 record last week. The Wolves defeated a solid Centennial (Calif.) squad 8-5 in eight innings for the trophy.

Also participating in the event were Las Vegas (3-1), Durango (2-2), Cheyenne (2-2) and Mojave.

Co-host Bishop Gorman and Clark emerged with 3-1 records in the Gaels/Vikings Invitational baseball tournament -- an event dominated by California schools. Chaparral finished 2-1-1 while Cimarron-Memorial, Rancho and Bonanza went 2-2. Eldorado, Palo Verde, co-host Valley and Western wound up 1-3 in the tourney.

Area powers Green Valley and Silverado traveled to California to participate in two of the country's most prestigious spring break baseball tournaments. The Gators went 3-1 in the Lion's Club Easter Tournament in San Diego, falling to California power El Capitan in the semifinal round. The Skyhawks wound up sixth at the Nation Classic in Fullerton, going 2-2.

Foothill hosted the inaugural Foothill Invitational Tournament, and the Falcons captured their event with three wins in four outings. Clark finished second at 2-2 and Centennial wound up 1-2.

In softball action, Eldorado posted an area-best 4-2 record in Clark's Fred Davison Memorial Tournament, capturing the bronze championship with a win over Santana (Calif.). Las Vegas and Cimarron each finished 3-2, Durango went 2-3 and Chaparral wound up 2-4. Host Clark, Valley and Bishop Gorman each went 1-4 at the tournament.

And in boys volleyball, Durango took second place at the 48-team Las Vegas Easter Invitational. The Trailblazers went 8-2, dropping two matches -- including the championship -- to Fresno-area school Bullard (Calif.).