State’s best in baseball, softball announced

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, June 1, 2000 | 10:14 a.m.

Though the Wooster softball and Silverado baseball teams finished the spring season with 4A state trophies, they ended their 2000 campaigns with very different experiences.

While the Colts wrapped up a superb 41-2 season with a 6-1 win over Durango in the softball title game, the Skyhawks were left with mixed emotions after a double-forfeit by their would-be title game rivals cost them a chance to win the championship on the field.

But as the school year comes to a close, the two title winners do have one thing in common -- domination of the Sun's 2000 all-state teams.

Silverado leads the way on the baseball side, with four first-teamers: catcher Tommy Rojas, second baseman Mike Eshragh, shortstop Ryan Ruiz and pitcher Robbie Van. The Skyhawks also produced four honorable mention selections, along with the top overall prize -- the player of the year award, which went to Ruiz.

Wooster also placed four players on the softball first team: outfielder Cindy Elkins, designated hitter Brianne McGowan and pitchers Jenne Bator and Chelsea Crosby. Bator earned player of the year honors, the Colts' Dick Allen won the coach of the year award and two other Wooster players received honorable mention.

Durango wasn't far behind the Skyhawks, with Trailblazers Chris Kelly (first base), Brent Johnson (outfield) and E.J. Shanks (pitcher) making the first team. Green Valley was the only other team with more than one player on the squad, with outfielders Garrett Guzman and David Krynzel earning recognition.

Rounding out the baseball first team were: Las Vegas' Clayton Mofford (third base), Cimarron-Memorial's David Seccombe (utility), Galena's Dan Paganetti (designated hitter) and Reno's Marc Kaiser (pitcher).

Basic coach Mike Kazek was named coach of the year after leading a team made up mainly of underclassmen to the Southeast Division title, a national ranking in Baseball America and a 26-6 overall record.

In softball, Galena placed three players on the first team: Tiffany Kristoe (first base), Teresa Miller (outfield) and Jennifer Molinari (pitcher). Silverado had two first-team selections in Mindy Ogan (second base) and Bridget Byrne (outfield).

Also making the first team were: Reed's Megan O'Connor (catcher), Durango's Stephanie Fisco (third base), Bonanza's Sara Bausher (shortstop) and Carson's Nicole Freeman (Carson).

The Sun's all-state teams are selected by Sun high school writers with input from coaches and media sources from throughout Nevada.