Durango eliminated from Legion tourney

Monday, Aug. 20, 2001 | 11:18 a.m.

Boulder (Colo.) rallied for a 5-4 victory over Durango at Franklin Covey Field in Salt Lake City Sunday, knocking the Trailblazers from this year's American Legion Western Regional Tournament.

"We gave it everything we had. We did that all tournament," Durango coach Tom Appleyard said. "I'm really proud of our kids."

The Blazers (53-33) went 1-2 in pool play, but earned a spot in the semifinals after finishing in a three-way tie for second place. Durango held the tiebreaker after allowing the fewest runs in competition against tied teams.

The Nevada state champions nearly advanced to today's championship, taking a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Coltyn Simmons (2-for-5, 2 RBIs). But Boulder answered back with two in the bottom half, and pitcher Andy Abell tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief to seal the Blazers' fate.

"We didn't hit the ball well this week, and that's a tribute to the pitching we saw," Appleyard said. "I thought in general we played well, but it's tough to hit the ball against quality pitching."