Williams stifles Cougars in American Legion state tournament

Durango coach Tom Appleyard generally limits his pitchers to 100 pitches.

Brayden Williams pushed the limit Tuesday night, using 98 to neutralize the Las Vegas Cougars' lineup to guide the Trailblazers to a 14-1 win in the American Legion State Baseball Tournament at Durango. Williams (6-3), who threw all seven innings of the mercy-rule shortened victory, allowed just two hits.

"Brayden threw very well," Appleyard said. "He was competitive in the strike zone and he limited them to not having a big inning like the other night (in the opening round) against Basic. Credit goes to Brayden."

On Sunday, Durango lost to the Southern Nevada Blue Sox of Basic High, 17-6. The Blue Sox scored in every inning and pounded out 17 hits.

But Tuesday, the Cougars (7-16) — made up players from Coronado — couldn't find a groove against Williams, who utilized a three-pitch arsenal to keep them off balance. Using a consistent fastball, a stellar curve and his deceptive change-up, Williams retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced.

"They really couldn't sit on one pitch," Appleyard said. "Coronado is a very talented team that can swing the bats. So you never know in the eighth and ninth innings. (Winning in seven) was huge, because that was going to be it for him, the seventh inning."

Leading 9-1 in the sixth inning, Durango pushed across five runs, sparked by a two-run triple by Artie Gallegos, forcing the 10-run rule into effect.

Joshua Barry went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and Duke Pahukoa went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI to lead Durango (40-33) offensively and keep the Trailblazers alive in the double-elimination event.

"Josh came up huge with a pair of two-out, two-run singles in the first two innings, because it took a lot of pressure off and allowed the team to relax," Appleyard said. "He's swung pretty consistent for us this season, but tonight he really came up big. I think that just carried over to the other guys and gave them confidence at the plate."

Durango finished 13-for-34 (.382), with eight walks and just two strikeouts.

"The big thing was playing hard every out; the kids played hard," Appleyard said. "We wanted them to have fun with this thing tonight."

Play continues at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Durango, with the Las Vegas Knights II taking on Silverado. Durango plays the Southern Nevada Blue Sox at 8 p.m.

Las Vegas Aces 7, Southern Nevada Blue Sox 3 — The second-seeded Aces used a three-run seventh inning to pull away from the third-seeded Blue Sox, staying undefeated for the tournament. Kyle Fuentes went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run, and Brett Brocoff went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs and one RBI. Bryson Stott and Dominic Paratore each drove in two runs for the Aces, who play at 5 p.m. Thursday against the winner of today's Durango-Blue Sox game.

Reliever Jake Lucas, who came in for the Aces during the seventh inning, earned the win after just 2/3 of an inning.