‘AA’ Stars seeking first district championship
Johnson strikes out 13 in three-hit, shutout win
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Friday, July 24, 2009 11:27 AM PDT
Eagle—The American Legion ‘AA’ Stars have yet to lose a game at the ‘AA’ district tournament being played at Eagle High School.
Thursday, the Stars sent left-handed flame thrower Darin Johnson to the mound, and he delivered a gem in a three-hit, 13-strikeout performance to beat Bishop Kelly, 14-0.
That win vaulted the Stars into the championship game where a tough Boise Gem team awaits.
The Stars played the East Division powerhouse earlier this season, and the outcome did not favor the Stars, as they lost the contest, 10-3.
But that was early in the year, and, since the Stars returned from the Papa’s Pizza Invitational in Eugene, they have been a different team.
Stars assistant coach Aaron Sutton credits the Eugene tournament experience as the reason for his team’s solid play down the stretch.
“We could have came away from that tournament with one of two things happening,” Sutton said. “One, we could have folded and not tried anymore, or, two, we could have came back and fought hard and believed that we are a good team. They (the team) chose the latter, and we have had a great run to close out the season.”
Sutton added they still have one important game left to play this Saturday when they battle the Gems for the district championship.
“The Stars have never won a district title, so this will be a big day for us,” Sutton said. “I believe the team is focused and ready to compete.”
Regardless of the outcome, the Stars have already qualified for the state tournament, which will begin Wednesday and run through Aug. 1 in Lewiston.
Thursday in Treasure Valley’s 14-0 blanking of Bishop Kelly, the Stars pounded out 17 hits and scored in every inning except for the second.
Kyle Blackwell led the team with four RBIs as he went 4-for-4 at the plate with a triple.
Tyson Flannery, Brady Harris and Nick Varriale each drove in two runs apiece in the win.
Sutton believes this team has the talent to go a long way, and he said they will be ready to compete in every game they play.
Saturday against the Gems, Sutton said Zack Fabricius will get the nod on the bump.
“We are playing solid baseball right now, and the kids are focused on what they need to do,” Sutton said.
In the earlier loss to the Gems, Sutton said his team gave up some early runs due to errors but does not expect that to be an issue this go around. The coach said they will more than likely face the Gems’ top pitcher, but he is not too worried about his teams offense — an offense that has shelled the opposing pitching throughout the tournament.
