Klein, old Sierra Vista chums breeze in tournament opener

Brooks Klein didn't have to play for Sierra Vista's American Legion baseball team this summer.

But after a productive freshman season at Western Nevada College, the 2009 Sierra Vista graduate decided to rejoin his old high school teammates. The Lions couldn't be happier he did so.

Klein finished a single shy of hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-4 with six RBIs, to power Sierra Vista to a 15-7 rout of Waipahu (Hawaii) in the opening round of the American Legion Western Regional on Thursday at Wilson Stadium.

"I definitely want to be here," said Klein, who will be a sophomore outfielder at Western Nevada. "Give credit to these coaches for my motivation and everything. They're great coaches.

"You want to keep playing as far as you can, and I love playing with these guys."

Klein hit a two-run triple to right-center field in the second inning to give the Lions a 5-1 lead. He added a solo home run to left-center in the seventh and a two-run double to center in the eighth.

"He's patient at the plate and gets balls that he can drive," Sierra Vista coach Levi Gill said of Klein, who also walked twice. "Hopefully he can stay on a good little roll and keep doing it."

Sierra Vista (42-14) advanced to play Taylorsville (Utah) at 5 p.m. today. The eight-team, double-elimination tournament runs through Monday.

The Lions stayed red hot after winning the Legion state title Saturday. Eight starters had at least one hit, including Alex Estrella, who was 3-for-5 and scored four runs. Jake Hager, Connor Klein and Julian Cutolo added two hits apiece.

Left-hander Estrella (7-2) got the win despite allowing seven runs on 11 hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings. The senior-to-be struck out three.

"I can't ask for too much more from (Estrella)," Gill said. "He threw strikes, and we came out with the W."

Brooks Klein said it was crucial to open the tournament with a victory.

"It's huge. It's a relief on pitching, and our guys are feeling confident going into the next game," he said.

Waipahu (17-7) will play Albuquerque La Cueva (N.M.) in an elimination game at 9 a.m. today.

■ Taylorsville 8, Albuquerque La Cueva 6 -- The Warriors rallied from a 6-3 deficit with four runs in the sixth inning to beat the Bears. Dallas Carroll was 3-for-5 with two RBIs to lead Taylorsville.

■ Tucson Northwest (Ariz.) 15, Boulder (Colo.) 9 -- The Red Raiders benefited from 14 walks and two hit batsmen by five Boulder pitchers. Stanley Brown was 4-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs for Tucson, which scored five runs in the seventh inning and seven in the ninth.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.