Spartans prepare for ‘war’

Spencer Patterson

Monday, Aug. 7, 2000 | 10:06 a.m.

Two years ago, Cimarron-Memorial High School stood on the brink of one of the rarest athletic achievements in state history: triple state titles in the "big three" boys sports of football, basketball and baseball.

The football and basketball teams, along with the school's wrestling team, captured state championships, and the baseball team appeared poised to do likewise, taking the top seed into the state tournament.

But the Durango Trailblazers crashed the Spartans' party, winning the 1999 baseball crown and spoiling hopes for a Cimarron sweep.

On Saturday night, Cimarron finally got that elusive baseball title, and a measure of revenge in the process, downing Durango 6-5 in the American Legion State Tournament title game.

Afterward, Spartans coach Bill Rodriguez spoke about the tournament's impact on a program that has taken a back seat to the likes of Green Valley, Durango and Bishop Gorman for much of the 1990s.

"I think it gives the kids a whole lot of confidence," Rodriguez said. "They know they can play with the high-echelon teams in town. That's what we've been working for all year -- a little respect."

By winning the eight-team tournament, the Spartans (40-8) earn Nevada's lone berth in this week's Western Regional in Ogden, Utah. Cimarron will face Hawaiian champion West Oahu Thursday, following the conclusion of a 10 a.m. game between Colorado champ Pueblo and Southern California representative Chino.

Rounding out the eight-team regional will be Utah champion Taylorsville, New Mexico champ Albuquerque (Post 49), Arizona champ Tucson (Post 7) and host squad Copper Hills (Utah).

"It's going to be a war over there," Rodriguez said. "We're going to have to play a little better than we are now, but if you win in Las Vegas, which I think is the best baseball town in the United States, you've got a really good chance."

The regional champion will join seven others in the Legion World Series, played in Alton, Ill., Aug. 18-22.

The Spartans, who finished second during the regular season behind Durango, won the State Tournament thanks largely to an offensive explosion that saw Cimarron outscore its four opponents by a combined 55-14 margin.

In Saturday's title contest, though, solid starting pitching and outstanding defense proved to be the difference for the Spartans.

Right-hander Brad Thompson gave Cimarron a gutty, nine-inning complete-game, scattering nine hits and allowing just three earned runs. He struck out six batters and walked two.

For Thompson, who will attend Utah's Dixie College this fall, Saturday's win was his second of the tournament and helped him secure the tournament MVP award.

"This Durango team has always been tough, every time I've faced them," Thompson said. "I just threw strikes and the defense made the plays. We have the best defense in town, no doubt about it."

Indeed, Thompson's defense got the job done when it counted most, gunning down a runner at the plate in the eighth and turning a game-ending double play in the ninth to send the Spartans onto the field in celebration.

"Once I saw the ball was to (shortstop) Jason (Ruiz), I knew it was over," second baseman Jeremy Reese said. "It's a great feeling to win state this year, one I'll never forget."