North’s lone legionnaires prepare for state tourney

Spencer Patterson

Friday, July 20, 2001 | 11:58 a.m.

To most outsiders, it might seem like a no-brainer, a chance to cut down on travel and play against the rest of Northern Nevada's top baseball programs.

But when Reno High coach Pete Savage was approached recently about the possibility of switching his summer squad from the ranks of American Legion to Connie Mack competition, Savage didn't even have to think before answering.

"We have a ton of respect for the American Legion teams down there (in Southern Nevada), and we love competing against great programs like Green Valley, Durango, Basic and Silverado," said Savage, whose club is the only Legion program in the state's northern half.

This summer, with his squad guaranteed the No. 5 seed in next month's Legion State Tournament, Savage has worked to build a club that can hold its own against Southern Nevada's best. Unlike traditional northern squads that rely on power to win ballgames, this year's Huskies are all about solid pitching and defense.

"Our philosophy has always been in playoff baseball, pitching and defense wins," Savage said. "We've only hit 15 homers in 50 games, but we manufacture runs and our defense and pitching keep us in games."

Heading into Thursday's game with defending Legion World Series champion Danville (Calif.), the Huskies were 35-15, playing most of their contests against opponents from Northern California, Oregon and Washington.

Most of the team's top graduated seniors are back, including Sun first-team all-state pitcher Darrick Cummings (6-2, 2.04 ERA this summer), pitcher/ infielder David Woods (4-2, 3.63) and catcher Riley Johnson (.415, 15 doubles, 28 RBIs).

The squad has also received valuable contributions from incoming seniors such as outfielder Bobby Angius (.406, 44 runs, 25 RBIs, 14 steals), catcher/ outfielder Nick Kosach (.379, 36 RBIs) and shortstop Kyle Ryckebosch, who has anchored a strong defensive infield.

As for whether his club can be a factor in the upcoming playoffs, Savage is cautiously optimistic. "This year's summer team has really good chemistry, and that makes it very enjoyable to work in the summer. And anything can happen in the playoffs, depending who's playing well at the right time."

But Basic, which has already clinched a spot in next month's Legion State Tournament, will likely be without the services of top pitcher Matt Elliott and top hitter Micah Schnurstein for part of the upcoming playoffs. Both have been invited to participate in the prestigious Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif.

"It's just so important, something they have to go to," Basic coach Mike Kazek said. "Depending how the dates fall, we may have them for part of the State Tournament."

The road-weary Trailblazers (6-4 in conference) recently returned from Woodward, Okla., where they went 2-4, and are now in San Clemente, Calif., for a tournament which concludes Sunday. Durango will play five league contests, along with one non-conference game, in a span of three days next week, with doubleheaders Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We're struggling to get into the state tournament," Blazers coach Tom Appleyard said. "If we don't watch out, we could end up in the (qualifying) District Tournament."