Cimarron claws back on top after bumpy early ride

Spencer Patterson

Monday, April 29, 2002 | 8:31 a.m.

A 5-7 start wasn't exactly what anybody expected from Cimarron-Memorial, ranked No. 2 in the state before the 2002 prep baseball season began.

Spartans coach Calvin Valvo wasn't too worried about his club's record, though. He knew that its early schedule -- which included games with area powers Durango, Basic and Green Valley -- had a lot to do with it.

What concerned Valvo more was his team's attitude in the face of its tough 12-game stretch.

"When we were 5-7 we were bickering and it was not a very nice dugout at times," Valvo said. "The kids weren't used to losing, and they got grumpy with each other. That was a difficult time."

One month later, things are looking rosy again for Cimarron. Winners of 14 of their last 17 contests, the Spartans are 19-10 overall and a half game ahead of No. 1 Centennial in the Northwest Division with a 6-1 league mark.

"Over the last couple of weeks we've had some nice talks about being unselfish, and things are working out better for us," Valvo said. "The main thing is, we've qualified for the regional tournament. And by beating Palo Verde, Cheyenne and Mojave last week, we control our own destiny (in the division)."

A win at Centennial on Thursday would give Cimarron the Northwest title and a No. 1 seed in the upcoming 4A Sunset Region Tournament, which begins May 8. In the teams' previous meeting, the Spartans handed the top-ranked Bulldogs their second area loss of the season, winning 3-2.

The pitching quartet of Matt Wagner, Steve Russell, Jared Johnson, Allen Woodward and Garrett Kohler have keyed the Spartans' recent streak, combining for a team ERA of just 2.19.

The Bonanza Bengals also find themselves in position to challenge for a division title with one week remaining in the conference season. Wins over Clark, Sierra Vista and No. 3 Durango pulled Bonanza (20-8, 6-2) into a three-way tie with Bishop Gorman and Durango atop the Southwest.

Silverado (20-10, 6-1) can clinch the Southeast title with a win at Foothill on Thursday or a Basic loss to either Green Valley or Coronado this week.

Las Vegas (19-11, 8-0) already has claimed the Northeast championship, and can finish an unbeaten league season with wins over Rancho and Desert Pines this week.