Cimarron Legion takes care of unfinished business

Spencer Patterson

Friday, June 30, 2000 | 10:17 a.m.

Two years ago, the Cimarron-Memorial baseball team was the talk of the town, posting Southern Nevada's top conference record, winning the Southern Zone title and advancing to the 4A State Tournament.

The Spartans came up short at state, however, watching from the stands as rival Durango defeated Reno for the championship.

Last spring, Cimarron posted an outstanding 18-4 regular-season record, easily winning the Northeast Division. But when the postseason rolled around, the Spartans were knocked out of the Sunset Region Tournament, an event once again captured by Durango.

According to Bill Rodriguez, Cimarron's American Legion coach, those disappointments still haunt the veteran players on his squad. And they are using this summer's Legion season as a stage to make up for lost opportunities.

"Cimarron has never really gotten the respect it deserves in baseball," Rodriguez said. "I think they want to finish the book, and I can't blame them."

Through Wednesday's games, the Spartans boasted a 22-6 overall summer record, 4-2 in league play.

Cimarron got its Legion season off to a strong start last month, capturing the St. George Tournament in Utah for the second straight year. A victory over defending 3A Utah state champion Cedar City capped the event for the Spartans.

Next up was the Prescott Invitational in Arizona, where Cimarron placed third in a field primarily made up of Connie Mack clubs.

"They played the best I've ever seen them play," Rodriguez said. "I feel like I have them a mission, that things aren't done yet."

Last week, the Spartans continued to soar, finishing second at the 26-team Timet Wolves Tournament. Cimarron reeled off wins against California powers Escondido, El Monte and Union City, along with New Mexico's Rio Rancho and Utah's Payson High before falling to local foe Chaparral in the title round.

"Hopefully, this takes them into the league season a lot stronger," Rodriguez said. "I see good things coming if we can keep that drive going."

The Spartans' red-hot start has been particularly amazing considering the top two pitchers from the 2000 spring season -- graduated seniors David Seccombe and Jino Gonzalez -- opted not to play Legion ball this summer. Seccombe, a University of San Francisco signee, is with an all-star team in Ohio, while Gonzalez is working out with his new Community College of Southern Nevada teammates.

In their stead, Cimarron has received solid production on the mound from varsity holdovers Brad Thompson and Jake Vose, along with three players who did not pitch on the varsity last year -- Steve Russell, Matt Wagner and Garrett Kohler.

Offensively, the Spartans have been led by the middle-infield combo of shortstop Jason Ruiz and second baseman Jeremy Reese. The pair, who switched defensive positions to begin the summer, are both batting over .500 this summer.

Cimarron is also getting help from outfielder Mike Luczyinski, a 1999 graduate who spent last season playing for CCSN. The 19-year-old has provided Rodriguez not only with a solid bat in the lineup, but also with critical veteran experience.