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Blue Sox’s bats come to life in opening round of state American Legion tourney

Southern Nevada Blue Sox coach Scott Baker knew his team hadn't been hitting well, but hoped recent tournaments in California and Utah would pay off.

After his team's showing Sunday night in the opening round of the American Legion State Tournament at Durango, Baker's mind should be at ease.

The Blue Sox (28-18) used a 17-hit attack to knock off Durango Post 76, 17-6. The game ended in seven innings due to the mercy rule.

"We really haven't been swinging the bats like that the past few weeks, so it was nice to see the offensive output for sure," Baker said. "We know that facing upper-tier arms and upper-tier teams (in out-of-town tournaments) has been the recipe. We wanted to face the best competition we could get.

"These things are all about getting the first one in. These scores the first couple of days, I don't see that continuing the later we get into this. It comes down to pitching and defense. Tonight, offensively, we were pretty impressive."

Logan Green, Tanner Roundy and Roger Riley each had three hits for the Blue Sox, who are made up of players from Basic High. Green had four RBIs and three runs scored, Riley scored three times and had two RBIs, and Roundy has two runs scored and one RBI. Teammate Ryne Nelson was 2-for-4 with with two RBIs and three runs scored.

Leading 5-2 entering the bottom of the fourth, the Blue Sox sent 12 batters to the plate, blowing the game open with a nine-run outburst. Durango was never able to recover, as the Blue Sox scored at least one run in every inning.

"It can be tough when you get a lead like that though," Baker said. "It's a fastball approach. You throw strikes and go right at 'em. We gave up a couple of late home runs there, but I'm pretty happy with all three phases: offense, defense and pitching."

Trevor Berg (6-2) scattered seven hits and allowed three runs (one earned) while striking out three in five innings.

Durango (39-33) was led by Brayden Williams, who went 2-for-3, and teammate Artie Gallegos and Adam Niederman each hit a home run. Marracco (5-3) took the loss for Durango.

The tournament continues at Durango today, with the Las Vegas Knights II taking on Canyon Springs at 5 p.m. in an elimination game, and Silverado facing Las Vegas Knights I in the winners' bracket of the double-elimination event.

Las Vegas Aces 13, Las Vegas Cougars 2 — Alex Tafesh went 2-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI as the Aces cruised by the Cougars in Sunday's late game.

Bryson Stott was 2-for-4 with three runs and four RBIs for the Desert Oasis-based Aces.

Brett Brocoff (5-1) allowed just two earned runs — one earned — over five innings of work, scattering three hits and striking out nine to get the win.

The Cougars, made of players from Coronado, managed just three hits. Starter Jacob Collins (1-5) took the loss after giving up five runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk in two innings.

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