Columnist Spencer Patterson: Clark baseball on rebound

Spencer Patterson

Friday, March 22, 2002 | 9:16 a.m.

Spencer Patterson covers high school sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at spencer@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4085.

Once home to one of Southern Nevada's proudest baseball traditions, Clark High School has fallen on hard times in the sport in recent years.

State champions twice in the 1970s and competitive during the 1980s, the Chargers have gone 32-87 over the past four seasons, dropping their only two playoff games.

But thus far in 2002, the school has shown signs it might be shaking out of its malaise on the diamond. Clark is off to a 4-4 start, with a win over defending state champion Green Valley and a close call against a strong Cimarron-Memorial squad already under its belt.

According to coach Fred Spierer, who took over in the middle of a 2001 season that saw the Chargers go 10-24, the difference is largely mental.

"They're believing in themselves, which is the key," Spierer said. "Last year when they went to play a ballgame, they were hoping to win and expecting to lose. This year, they really believe they can win each game they play."

Ace Blaine Krasky has spearheaded the revival, posting two wins, including the emotional 2-1 victory over the Gators. Ed Dorville and Jason Diekmann have provided a solid middle-infield combo and outfielder Devin Ritholz and catcher Donny Bridges have led the hitting attack.

Thanks to the emergence of junior Kristin Gilliland, it appears the 2001 state runner-ups might remain right in the thick of things.

Gilliland, who was unable to hold a six-run lead in last year's state title game, has bounced back from that disappointment with a vengeance. She has pitched every inning of every game for the 9-5 Trailblazers, tossing three shutouts already.

"I think she was really motivated to work hard and she prepared herself well," Durango coach Sandy Morgan said. "She's been very consistent, and we need her to pitch like this."

Clark will hold its annual Fred Davison Memorial Softball Tournament Monday through Wednesday, with 30 teams scheduled to do battle at the West Flamingo Softball Complex.

Durango will host its annual Blazer Spring Baseball Bash Monday through Wednesday, with 24 squads playing at Durango, Centennial, Cheyenne, Las Vegas, Durango, Bonanza, Mojave, Western and Coronado.

Later in the week, Bishop Gorman will play host to the Coca-Cola Easter Baseball Classic Thursday through Saturday, a 49-team extravaganza spread over 10 sites throughout town.

Also next week, Chaparral will host the Las Vegas Easter Invitational, a boys volleyball event running all day Monday and Tuesday.