Spencer Patterson covers high school sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at [email protected] or (702) 259-4085.
Records through July 9
East Division Team Record Pct.
B. Gorman 18-1 .947 Las Vegas 16-5 .762 Silverado 14-5 .737 Basic 8-9 .471 Foothill 8-10 .444 Eldorado 7-10 .412 G. Valley 7-10 .412 Coronado 3-16 .158 Chaparral 2-15 .118 Valley 0-18 .000
West Division Team Record Pct.
Cimarron 15-2 .882 Centennial 13-2 .867 Palo Verde 16-5 .762 Sierra Vista 17-7 .708 F. Lutheran 10-12 .455 Durango 8-11 .421 Bonanza 7-13 .350 Cheyenne 6-10 .375 Western 4-11 .267 Mojave 0-17 .000 Scores and records as reported by coaches to Legion league office.
When Faith Lutheran coach Chris Pfatenhauer announced his intention to sign up his school of 380 students for varsity American Legion competition this summer, he received more than a few concerned looks.
"Some people said, 'Are you sure you guys can cut it?" and 'Won't it get ugly?' " Pfatenhauer said.
The doubters' fears were realized in the Crusaders' first three games, each of which ended with Faith Lutheran losing by the 10-run mercy rule.
But Pfatenhauer remained confident that his club, which finished second in last spring's Class 2A state tournament, could hold its own against Southern Nevada's top programs. He continued to preach patience, and his faith in Faith has paid off. The team brings a 22-21 record into day two of Durango's Blazer Summer Classic today.
"I knew we'd compete," Pfatenhauer said. "We play defense, we throw strikes and we can play small ball (offensively), and you're not going to get blown out like that."
Pfatenhauer drew from his experience with new programs in unfamiliar positions. He created and coached the Community College of Southern Nevada's then-club team through its first season.
Then last year he coached the Crusaders to a 28-10 mark in his first season, taking the team on a ride that lasted until Faith Lutheran fell 2-1 to Battle Mountain in the state championship game.
With most of that squad back, Pfatenhauer views the Legion season as a great opportunity to prepare his players for next year's Class 2A competition.
"We're not going to win the Legion state championship or play in the World Series," he said. "We're doing it to get better for next season. Pitchers out here are throwing 80 (mph), maybe mid-80s, and in our league we don't see that. So this can only help us"
As they were during the high school season, the Crusaders are anchored by their top starting pitchers: right-hander Giovanni Lazzarotto (5-4), a senior-to-be, and lefty Derek Fowler (5-2), an incoming junior.
"All of our pitchers throw three pitches for strikes, and we pride ourselves on being able to locate on both sides of the plate," Pfatenhauer said.
Catcher Erik Fox and shortstop Ryan Moldt have led the offense, and the squad has received a boost from graduated Bonanza seniors Billy Osgood, C.J. Garcia and Brandon Willmott.
"It's not that we have all the talent in the world, but our team buys into what we need to do," Pfatenhauer said. "They're extremely disciplined, and they never get frustrated."
The nine-team Blazer Classic continues at Durango and Faith Lutheran today through Sunday, with the championship slated for Sunday at 8 p.m. at Durango.
The Skyhawks (26-11) went 4-1, losing to Idaho Falls before bouncing back to defeat Lethbridge (Canada) 8-7 in the third-place game on Jared Ferdinand's walk-off RBI single.
Pitchers Ezra Ylinen and Wes Johnson helped Silverado get off to a strong start, allowing just three hits in back-to-back shutouts over Tracyton (Wash.) and Brighton (Colo.).
The Panthers (28-11) finished 3-2 in Idaho, placing fifth. Pitching was also the story for Palo Verde, as Matt Wilson, Brandon Kintzler and Larry Ellenbrook scattered just seven hits in victories over Englewood (Colo.), Twin Falls (Idaho) and Hermiston (Ore.).
Silverado and Palo Verde will head to the South Coast Classic in San Clemente, Calif., July 18-21, along with Durango, Bishop Gorman and Coronado.
Shortstop Sean Kazmar was tournament MVP, as he and second baseman David Hamilton -- a recent CCSN signee -- earned praise from opposing coaches.
The Wildcats (18-9) are in Albuquerque for the 32-team High Desert Classic this week."
Chris Pfatenhauer
FAITH LUTHERAN COACH
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