The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans Varsity baseball team opened their season with tournament play beginning on February 27 at the Colorado River Tournament. Games were played at River Valley High School and Mohave HS in Fort Mohave, Arizona. The Trojans had a strong showing at the tournament.
Trojans Start Tournament Strong with 6-3 Victory Over Camp Verde
The Trojans opened their tournament play with a decisive 6-3 win over the Camp Verde Varsity Cowboys. Strong performances at the plate, aggressive base running, and stellar pitching helped the Trojans set the tone for the competition.
Shortstop Aidyn Cratty was a force in the batter’s box, going 3-for-4 with three singles, sparking the Trojans’ offense. His clutch hitting helped Pahrump rally after an early deficit, tying the game in the third inning 3-3. Andrew Zurn also made an impact, collecting two hits and driving in a run. Kayne Horibe played a key role in the middle of the lineup, bringing in two runs while also showcasing speed on the bases.
Pahrump’s aggressive base running was a difference-maker, with Cratty and Horibe each swiping multiple bags. The Trojans stole a total of five bases, putting constant pressure on Camp Verde’s defense.
After a back-and-forth start, the Trojans took control in the fifth inning and never looked back. A dropped third strike allowed Pahrump to take a 4-3 lead, and two insurance runs in the sixth inning sealed the victory.
On the mound, Samuel Mendoza delivered a dominant relief performance, shutting down Camp Verde’s offense over the final four and two-thirds innings. He allowed only three hits, struck out five, and walked none to earn the win. Joseph Leftwich IV started the game, striking out four in two and a third innings while limiting the damage before handing the ball over to Mendoza.
The Trojans were rock solid in the field, playing error-free baseball. Catcher Vinny Whitney led the defensive effort with 10 putouts, helping guide the pitching staff through key innings. The Trojans’ clean play kept Camp Verde from capitalizing on opportunities and played a crucial role in securing the win.
With this strong opening performance, the Trojans made a statement to start the tournament. Their ability to rally, combined with disciplined hitting, sharp base running, and dominant pitching, gives them a strong foundation moving forward.
Trojans Dominate with a 15-1 Victory Over Kingman Academy
The Trojans delivered a dominant performance, defeating the Kingman Academy Tigers 15-1 in the second game of the tournament. The Trojans’ offense, coming off a solid first game, kept their moment going with timely hitting, and continued aggressive base running and solid pitching that underscored their drive to succeed.
Jack Walker emerged as a crucial force in the game. His clutch hitting produced two doubles—one in the fourth inning and another in the fifth—that directly accounted for four runs. Walker’s timely hits were instrumental in pushing the Trojans’ scoring to new heights. Early in the game, a line out by Cody Fried signaled the start of an onslaught of relentless offensive pressure.
In the top of the third inning, the Trojans further demonstrated their scoring prowess by amassing five runs on just two hits. A double by Ben Cimperman started off the inning. Tony Whitney followed with a walk, and then two wild pitches and three stolen bases brought in Cimperman and T. Whitney. Aidyn Cratty followed suit with a walk and stolen bases, scoring another run for the Trojans. Kayne Horibe also drew a walk, then errors on the Tigers allowed Andrew Zurn to get on base and Horibe to move around the bases and score, ending the inning with a total of 6 runs. The Tigers scored one run in the bottom of the inning, totaling it out 6-1.
The offensive barrage continued in the top of the fourth inning. With just one solid double by Jack Walker, the Trojans managed to score six runs. T. Whitney and Cratty both drew walks, followed by Horibe being hit by a pitch loaded the bases. Zurn and Cody Fried also drew walks keeping the bases loaded. Walker’s double followed and not only drove in two runs but also extended the offensive onslaught. Subsequent plays by Vinny Whitney and Dominik Wilson moved the runners around the bases and in, further adding to the impressive tally.
The Trojans’ added three more runs to their total in the fifth inning with a single by T. Whitney, a walk for Horibe and Zurn and another double by Walker to drive the score 15-1. The Trojans held the Tigers scoreless after the third, and ended the game 15-1.
The Trojans’ aggressive approach was evident both at the plate and on the base paths. Pahrump Valley showcased exceptional plate discipline by drawing 11 walks throughout the game, with Cratty leading the charge with three walks alone. The team’s smart baserunning was highlighted by six stolen bases, with both Cratty and T. Whitney contributing multiple steals. Additionally, the Trojans executed two double plays, demonstrating their focus on both offense and defense.
On the mound, Pahrump Valley’s pitching staff played a pivotal role in keeping the Tigers off balance. Dominik Wilson earned the win by pitching three innings of near-flawless baseball, allowing just one hit and one unearned run while recording a strikeout. Reliever T. Whitney bolstered the effort by throwing two shutout innings, giving up only one hit while striking out two batters and issuing one walk. This robust pitching performance was key to maintaining the massive lead and ensuring the Tigers had little chance to mount any comeback.
With this commanding win, the Trojans are set to carriy strong momentum into the final two days of tournament play. Their combination of explosive offense, disciplined plate appearances, and dominant pitching set a high standard. With confidence and energy on their side, the team looks to build on this success and continue making a statement on the field.
*A special thank you to Heidi Horibe and Kadee Wilkerson for the photos.
