Blazers fire up offense

It might be awhile before D.J. Richardson can contribute on the field for Durango's softball team.

That doesn't mean she can't help her teammates with a little good luck in the meantime.

Richardson, out with an injured right shoulder, came rushing over from the bleachers to kiss teammate Jaexie Balilea's bat just before the Durango shortstop hit in the sixth inning at Silverado on Wednesday.

Balilea responded with her only hit of the day -- a two-out single that scored Lindsay Williams from second base with the go-ahead run as the Trailblazers rallied from a 6-1 deficit to beat the Skyhawks, 8-6.

"If I get a good hit, it's for her," Balilea said of her teammate.

Richardson, a senior who will play at San Diego next season, injured her shoulder crashing into the outfield wall in Monday's game against Coronado. She has an MRI exam scheduled for Friday and expects to miss at least two weeks.

In her absence, the Trailblazers pieced together a seven-run sixth inning that proved they can produce runs without one of their top hitters.

"D.J. talked to them already, and they know they can perform," Durango coach Toni Del Toro said. "The other kids are stepping up."

Samantha Juarez started and ended the rally with doubles. Nicole Schultz added a two-run double, and the Trailblazers took advantage of four Silverado errors in the inning.

Williams' two-out infield single plated Schultz to make the score 6-5. Williams advanced to second on a throwing error.

Balilea fell behind 0-2, took a pitch, then laced an outside pitch up the middle.

"It wasn't a pitch I liked, but I had to swing," Balilea said.

Williams slid home safely, and Balilea went to third when the throw got away.

Juarez's ground-rule double scored Balilea with an insurance run.

Silverado had only one hit but took advantage of nine walks, three hit batters and four errors.

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.