East’s arms silence West

Spencer Patterson

Monday, July 24, 2000 | 9:26 a.m.

Through the first three innings, Sunday night's American Legion All-Star game had proceeded very much as expected -- with the two teams trading leads behind their explosive offenses.

But with the West holding a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the third, a funny thing happened. Without warning, the East turned this year's All-Star contest into a pitching showcase, holding its counterparts to four hits over the final seven innings en route to an 18-7 victory at Durango High School.

Beginning in the third, seven different pitchers stepped to the mound for the East, each for one inning of work. All told, they limited the hosts to just one extra-base hit, striking out eight and walking four.

"They were ready when their number was called," East coach Ron Sufano said. "They came out and they wanted to represent the East side."

While their pitchers were shutting down the West, the East squad's batters were doing more than enough to make it stand up, scoring runs in all but two of the nine innings.

Eldorado's James Green, the game's Most Valuable Player, pulled the East even at 6-all with a solo homer in the fifth. One inning later, the sophomore-to-be contributed his second hit in a three-run sixth that gave the visitors the lead for good.

"(Green) did a heck of a job tonight," Sufano said. "He showed he wasn't intimidated against the older guys. He swung the sticks, he was aggressive and he certainly sparked us."

Basic's Jared Prisbrey also went 2-for-2 for the East, knocking in a run, doubling and stealing home. Wolves teammate Leland Montoya homered, as did Foothill's Grant Stanley.

Durango first baseman Chris Kelly did all he could to give the West a chance early, going 3-for-3 and belting a solo homer in the first.

Rancho's Roy Gutierrez was the lone pitcher to work a perfect inning, striking out the side in the bottom of the seventh. Green Valley's Paul Vignola picked up the victory after holding the West without a hit in the fifth.

The Palo Verde quartet of Eric Newman, Dean Fore, Matt Switzer and Brandon Keitzler combined to win the hot hands relay, getting the ball around the infield in 5.43 seconds. Las Vegas was close behind at 5.59. ...

Chaparral's Marques Tadeo took first in the bases running derby, rounding the bags in 14.43 seconds. Clark's Alex Rivera took second with a time of 14.60. ...

The Legion district tournament kicks off today with a pair of 4:45 p.m. contests: Eldorado vs. Las Vegas at Durango and Foothill vs. Mojave at Eldorado. At 8 p.m., Centennial will face Moapa Valley at Eldorado and Clark and Rancho will square off at Durango. Only the winner of the 12-team, three-day event will earn a spot in next week's state tournament.