Luczynski, Cimarron drill Palo Verde

Spencer Patterson

Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000 | 11:03 a.m.

After starting college and playing 30 baseball games for the first-year CCSN Coyotes last spring, Mike Luczynski easily could have opted for some rest and relaxation this summer.

Instead, the Cimarron-Memorial graduate is taking advantage of an opportunity rarely afforded an athlete in his position -- the chance to go back and play with his former high school teammates.

Although Luczynski played his last prep contest for the Spartans in 1999, his age allowed him to participate with Cimarron's American Legion club this summer.

Luczynski jumped at the chance, and has spent the past two months providing veteran leadership and a big bat in the middle of a potent Spartans lineup.

On Monday, he continued to do so, going 5-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs to help Cimarron to an easy 19-2, seven-inning victory over Palo Verde on day three of the American Legion State Tournament at UNLV's Wilson Stadium.

"I just love the game, and I've always thought Legion was the best thing," Luczynski said. "It's laid back, the coaches are so good and it's a lot more fun than high school baseball.

"I just wanted to come out this summer and stay the game, to take the offseason as a chance to play ball every day," he added.

By the top of the third, the Spartans had an 8-0 lead, Panthers starter Brandon Kintzler was done for the night and Cimarron looked like an awfully safe bet to remain in the eight-team tournament's winner's bracket.

Luczynski, however, was just getting started. His RBI single in the fourth made the score 9-0 and his solo homer was part of a nine-run fifth that ended with the Spartans holding a stunning 18-0 advantage.

"Lucy has always been padding for us, protecting the young kids," Cimarron coach Bill Rodriguez said. "Of course, he has no fear in high school ball since he's played a year at CCSN."

Aiding Luczynski in the Spartan hit parade was 2000 graduate Brian Ashton, who doubled, tripled and chipped in four RBIs and three runs. All nine Cimarron batters finished with at least one hit, with Jeremy Reese, Roy Ratcliff, Steve Russell and Richard McCann joining Luczynski and Ashton with multiple hits.

On Thursday, the Spartans will play the winner of Wednesday's Cheyenne-Palo Verde game. Cimarron could advance to Saturday's championship with a win in that one.

Cheyenne (28-25) stayed alive with a 12-2 triumph over Silverado (27-19) in Tuesday's early game. Justin Stephenson pitched all eight innings for the Desert Shields, who knocked out last year's Legion state champions. Tonight at 5, Reno and Green Valley will meet in a loser's-out game. In the nightcap, Basic will take on Durango with the winner remaining unbeaten in the tournament.