Durango freshman steps up

Katie Moore just hoped to play her part this season as the lone freshman on Durango’s softball team.

As her teammates continue to suffer injuries, Moore’s part quickly is turning into a starring role.

The first baseman smacked a go-ahead three-run homer in the sixth inning at Bonanza on Friday, helping the Trailblazers clinch the Southwest League title with a 6-1 victory over the Bengals.

“I expected to do my part, but playing with this team just gets me so excited,” Moore said. “I just try to do my best.”

The injury bug has repeatedly bitten Durango (22-7, 13-1). Already missing starting outfielder D.J. Richardson (shoulder) and catcher

Lindsay Williams (shoulder/elbow) to injuries, the Trailblazers also were without starting infielder/pitcher Nicole Herrera (ankle) on Friday.

“These kids have a lot of heart,” Durango coach Toni Del Toro said. “All of them want it. We also have a lot of girls who can play a variety of positions.”

But in the first five innings Friday, Durango’s offense was sputtering. The Trailblazers had only two hits and trailed 1-0 in the sixth inning.

After Jaexie Balilea drew a 12-pitch walk to put runners at the corners with two outs, Moore deposited a 2-0 pitch over the fence in left field.

“I just put my head down and ran,” Moore said. “When I hit it, it didn’t even occur to me that it might go over the fence. But when it did, there was no greater feeling.”

Moore opened Del Toro’s eyes in preseason workouts, convincing the second-year coach to make room for her on varsity.

“I knew she would come out strong, but I didn’t expect her to come out this strong,” Del Toro said. “I kept her because she had everything I needed in a varsity player. Being a threat so early in her career is amazing.

“It gives me hope for what she’s going to be like her senior year.”

Durango added three unearned runs in the seventh, two on Ashley Hall’s two-out double. The late run support was plenty for Hall, who tossed a three-hitter with six strikeouts.

After allowing a two-out single to Jessica Delp and an RBI double to Brittany Spencer, Hall retired 15 consecutive batters. Delp finished 2-for-3.

Bonanza (25-6, 10-3) had only one other scoring threat, putting runners at the corners with two outs in the sixth inning, but Hall got a lineout to end the inning.