Johnson put Durango in position to repeat

Spencer Patterson

Wednesday, May 17, 2000 | 10:27 a.m.

At Burkholder Field

Thursday's Games

Game 1: Durango (28-8) vs. Reno (29-6), 4 p.m.

Game 2: Silverado (22-7) vs. Carson (21-12), 7 p.m. Friday's Games

Game 3: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, 1 p.m.

Game 4: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 4 p.m.

Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser, 7 p.m. Saturday's Games

Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner, 10 a.m.

Game 7: Repeat Game 6 (if necessary), 1 p.m.

As the celebration died down after Durango's first state baseball title victory last spring, thoughts turned to the Trailblazers' chances of repeating as champions.

With several key hitters, including infielders Chris Kelly, Brandon Perry and Nate Bumstead, along with ace pitcher E.J. Shanks returning, Durango appeared to have the horses to contend again.

But most everyone agreed the team's chances of repeating would depend largely on its ability to replace its graduated outfield of James Burgess, Sean Havens and Eric Kitchen -- three experienced, all-conference performers.

One year later, the Trailblazers are back where they want to be, one of four teams in this week's 4A State Tournament. And indeed, the club's success was determined in large part by its outfield -- primarily center fielder Brent Johnson.

An unheralded starter in last year's loaded Durango lineup, Johnson has stepped out of obscurity to become one of the club's key performers. Not only has he made a smooth transition from third base to center field this spring, but he has also distinguished himself as one of the Blazers' top starting pitchers and one of Southern Nevada's best leadoff hitters.

"He's been as consistent as anyone all year long," Durango coach Mike Gomez said. "He was our biggest find of the year, no doubt."

Johnson's move from the infield to the outfield was initially conceived by pitching coach Mike Stoker, who felt that making the long throws from center would keep his arm in better shape to pitch.

That theory seems to have been proven, with Johnson contributing 55 innings this season compared to fewer than 15 a year ago. He brings a 7-2 record and a 2.42 ERA, along with 68 strikeouts and just 18 walks, into the state tournament.

"A lot of it was developing a mentality," Gomez said. "For the first half of the year, he was probably our No. 1 starter."

The move to the outfield also allowed the Trailblazers to utilize Johnson's speed and solid baseball instincts, which made the transition to his new position quick and painless.

"I was ready for it," Johnson said. "It's not like infield, where you have to make every play. It's a little more relaxed. My outfield coach (Mike Oliver) has helped me learn how to play the ball right, get good angles."

Johnson's other big move this season -- from No. 9 hitter in 1999 to leadoff -- has also paid big dividends for the Trailblazers. The 6-2, 165-pounder is batting .430 with five home runs, 16 doubles and 35 RBIs, and has scored 42 runs.

"We knew that he would have improved numbers, but not in our wildest dreams did I think he'd be our offensive catalyst," Gomez said.

For his exploits this spring -- which included striking out 17 batters against Cheyenne during the regular season and hitting for the cycle in a playoff win over Centennial -- Johnson was named player of the year in the Southwest Division and earned second-team All-Southern Nevada honors.

"He's been extremely clutch for us this year," Gomez said. "He's given us a little bit of everything."

Now, the Blazers are hoping Johnson can help take them farther, first to a win over Northern Region champ Reno in Game 1 Thursday, then to a victory over the winner of Thursday's Silverado-Carson game and finally to a triumph in Saturday's title game.

Spencer Patterson covers prep sports for the Sun. Reach him at 259-4085 or by e-mail at spencer@lasvegassun.com