Something new in baseball playoffs

Spencer Patterson

Monday, May 6, 2002 | 8:43 a.m.

In more ways than one, this year's Class 4A regional baseball playoffs will have a brand new look.

Not only will the Sunrise and Sunset tournaments be spread out at five venues for the first time, but the events will also feature two high schools making their first postseason appearance in the sport.

Mojave earned its first playoff berth in four varsity seasons, while Sierra Vista qualified in its first year of existence.

Both got in during the regular season's final days, with the Mountain Lions defeating Clark 2-0 on Thursday to clinch a spot and the Rattlers edging Cheyenne 4-3 in a play-in game on Saturday.

"It's extremely big for us," Mojave coach Steve Barnson said. "We're extremely happy to be there, but that doesn't mean we've thrown in the towel. Hopefully, our program can build from this and keep making things happen."

The Rattlers (8-17) rallied from a 3-1 deficit against the Desert Shields with three runs in the sixth. Clinton Faircloth supplied the big hit -- a two-RBI double -- and Jon Culver scored the game-winner on a wild pitch.

Mojave opens play in the Sunset tournament with a first-round matchup against Southwest Division champion Bishop Gorman (24-10). That game will be played at Durango, which joins Cimarron-Memorial, Sierra Vista, Burkholder Field and CCSN's Lied Field as the five sites for this week's regional action.

"Throughout the whole year, there have been enough upsets that we can point out to our kids that if we play up to our ability, anything can happen," Barnson said.

Sierra Vista (19-11) will face off against Northwest champion Centennial (27-6) Wednesday at Cimarron.

In other first-round Sunset competition Wednesday, Durango will take on Palo Verde at Sierra Vista and Cimarron will play Bonanza at Durango.

In Sunrise action, it will be Silverado vs. Desert Pines and Chaparral vs. Foothill at Burkholder and Las Vegas vs. Green Valley and Basic vs. Eldorado at CCSN.

Play continues through Saturday, with both championship games slated for 6 p.m., at Durango and CCSN. Three teams from each region will qualify for next week's 4A State Tournament.

The Sunrise tournament, which will be played at the same venue, will feature Silverado, Rancho, Eldorado, Coronado, Las Vegas, Green Valley, Basic and Valley.

As in baseball, three teams from each region advance to next week's 4A State Tournament.

Basic, Desert Pines, Las Vegas, Foothill, Green Valley, Rancho, Chaparral and Silverado will participate in the Sunrise, with Bonanza, Cimarron, Palo Verde, Western, Durango, Mojave, Centennial and Gorman battling it out in the Sunset."