PREP BASEBALL: Trojans learn from tourney

Team starts strong but finishes third in Cactus Classic

Pahrump Valley got off to a fast start in the Cactus Classic but didn't finish nearly as well.

Nevertheless, it was a learning experience for the Trojans, who finished third of 16 teams in the tournament.

Like the softball team, which was playing one field away in its opener, Pahrump played to a tie with Moapa Valley, 3-3.

The Trojans then whipped Spring Creek 13-0, Beaver 2-1 and Pahranagat Valley 12-5, before falling to Bishop Manogue 5-0 and Hurricane (Utah) 13-3.

It was in the final game that Pahrump got an eye-opener about aggressive baseball. Hurricane batters didn't wait for first strikes, swinging at the first good pitch, and getting on top early.

"It was a good experience for the kids," first-year head coach Steve Craighead said of the tournament. "It was the first live action they saw. It was a good situation for them to come out and play. Overall, I was happy with how we did."

One veteran pitcher, Josh Frye, was in midseason form. After getting roughed up for three first-inning runs against Moapa Valley in the opener, he was on his game from then on, holding the Pirates to no more runs and then pitching a one-hit shutout against Spring Creek.

"In two games Josh did a great job," Craighead said. "He located his pitches well, and threw a good curveball.

Seniors Brent Kaucky, Derrick Holzer and Justin Jones were on top of their games offensively as each batted better than .500 during the tournament.

Kaucky led the way, going 8-for-11 for a .727 average. Jones posted an eye-opening .733 on-base average that included three doubles, three RBIs, three stolen bases and four walks. Holzer had three doubles and four RBIs, and had an amazing five two-strike hits. Preston Dockter hit .333 with three doubles, and Matt Stevens hit .333 with two triples, and threw out two base stealers.

"Stevens had a tourney behind the plate," Craighead said of his junior catcher who is replacing his older brother, John, who graduated last May. "I think he let maybe two, three balls get by him the whole tournament."

Pahrump Valley 3, Moapa Valley 3

Danny Hawkins' two-run double highlighted the Pirates' big first inning.

But the Trojans battled back in the third as Kaucky singled, Holzer slammed an RBI double to right-center field, Beau Gott had an RBI single and Jacob Herndon capped the inning with a sacrifice fly.

Bishop Manogue 5, Pahrump Valley 0

The Trojans got just one hit, T.R. Plummer's third-inning single.

Manogue, meanwhile, used two home runs and terrific pitching to stifle Pahrump.

Pahrump Valley 2, Beaver 1

Holzer was sharp, allowing two hits, striking out six and walking three.

Kaucky gave the senior left-hander all the support he needed with an RBI double in the first and a run-scoring single in the third.

Pahrump Valley 11, Pahranagat Valley 5

The Trojans fell behind 3-0 in the top of the first before turning things around with a nine-hit attack.

Stevens stroked a two-run triple in the first inning as Pahrump rallied to tie the game.

Kaucky was 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI, Dockter had a double ad three runs scored, and Jones doubled.

Pahrump Valley 13, Spring Creek 0

Frye was sharp throughout the game, striking out six and walking one.

The Trojans' bats came alive with six of their 11 hits going for extra bases. Jones and Dockter had two doubles apiece to lead the barrage.

Jones was 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBI; Dockter was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs; and Stevens was 2-for-4 with his second triple of the tournament.

Hurricane 13, Pahrump Valley 3

For the first time in the tournament, the Trojans' defense was leaky. Pahrump committed nine errors, which was three more than it had committed in the five previous games.

Kaucky got the Trojans off to a good start with an RBI single in the top of the first. Holzer was 2-for-2 with a double. Pahrump was tied 2-2 entering the bottom of the third before Hurricane scored 11 runs in the last two innings.

"Overall, the kids played well," Craighead said. "It (tournament) gave us an idea what we need to work on. We need to work on fundamentals like rundowns. Until the last game, we played well defensively."

The Trojans have their home opener Thursday when Faith Lutheran comes to Pahrump for a 3 p.m. game.


<<--[back]