‘Underdog’ Gorman surprises Durango

Zack Hall

Friday, May 12, 2000 | 10:13 a.m.

Going into the 4A Sunset Region Baseball Tournament the favorites to advance to the Nevada State Tournament were Durango or Cimarron-Memorial.

Thursday, the Spartans were eliminated and the Trailblazers were left to fight for their playoff lives as Bishop Gorman beat Durango 3-2 and Cheyenne smoked Cimarron 6-1 at Durango.

The Gaels (20-14) are in control, one win away from the state tournament, while the Blazers (25-8) will have to play Cheyenne today in an elimination game that will decide who plays Gorman for the title.

"It'll be difficult not to be overconfident," said Gorman starter Brandon Boesch, who got the win. "I think we have to come out and work really hard at practice tomorrow.

"We've been the underdog all year long. Everybody said we were down and everything. I still think we have a lot to prove to a lot of people in the city."

Boesch pitched a complete-game three-hitter, not allowing a hit after Danny Kahr's leadoff double in the second inning.

Parker Brooks led off the fourth inning with a triple after Durango rightfielder Jeff Jacobsen missed a diving attempt at a ball down the right-field line. Two batters later, Joe Cosentino hit a chopper that third baseman Nate Bumstead was unable to retrieve, scoring Brooks to break the 2-2 tie.

Boesch struck out the side in the seventh to end the game.

"I was really excited," Boesch said. "I was on the mound trying to tell myself to stay calm, and it was really hard but I was able to do it."

In the day's first game, Cheyenne (17-13) continued its improbable run through the tournament by beating Cimarron (20-6) ace Gino Gonzales.

Desert Shields starter Adam Lesko left Spartan hitters puzzled, pitching a complete game five-hitter.

"He (Lesko) was dealing today," said Cheyenne coach Dave Snyder. "He came ready, he had a mission on his mind and he accomplished it. He told me today that he was going to shove (it) up their you-know-what, and he did."

Gabe Sakay went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and Robert Kovaks was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Cheyenne and Durango will meet on the Trailblazers' home field at 4 p.m. today.