Southwest All Star player Lincoln Forkner makes a play on a Durango runner at second base.
Southwest All Star player Lincoln Forkner makes a play on a Durango runner at second base.Regan Umberger/The Cortez Journal

The Southwest minors, composed of players from Cortez, Dolores, Lewis and Towaoc, kicked off the All Star baseball tournament on Monday with a strong team effort in a 13-2 win over Durango.

Pitcher Gabriel Crowley threw a complete game, catcher Braden Hallman protected home, and Lane Greelee defended first base as Durango’s hitters got hot. Elijah Lee, Jonathan Purkat, and Kail Wayman locked up the outfield.

On offense, highlights included Jake Blackmer’s two-run triple, Cooper Ross’ solid hitting and Evan LaMunyon and Miles Frost’s scoring slides at the plate.

In Cortez on Tuesday, Southwest faces Bayfield at 5 p.m. in the district tournament.