Riding the high of two commanding victories on the first day of tournament play, the Pahrump Valley High School Trojans Varsity baseball team entered day two with confidence and momentum on their side. After defeating Camp Verde 6-3 and overwhelming Kingman Academy 15-1, the Trojans showcased a dominant blend of explosive offense, disciplined base running, and strong pitching. With their sights set on another statement win, they carried that energy into their matchup against the Mohave Varsity Thunderbirds—delivering yet another powerhouse performance.
Trojans Dominate Mohave with Explosive Third Inning, Win 14-0
The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans Varsity baseball team continued their dominant tournament run on day two, shutting out the Mohave Varsity Thunderbirds 14-0. A powerhouse third inning, aggressive base running, and stellar pitching propelled the Trojans to their third straight tournament victory.
After a scoreless first inning and a single run in the second, the Trojans came alive in the third, batting around the lineup and piling on 10 runs. Aidyn Cratty ignited the rally after being hit by a pitch, quickly stealing two bases to reach scoring position. A balk by the pitcher brought Cratty home, setting the tone for the inning.
Andrew Zurn reached base on an error, followed by a stolen base and two walks that allowed him to cross home plate. Walks played a major role in the inning, putting Vinny Whitney, Dominik Wilson, Ben Cimperman, and Aaron Rily on base. Tony Whitney then delivered a key single to drive in a run and push runners into scoring position.
The offensive surge continued as Cratty drew another walk and Kayne Horibe smacked a double to bring in two more runs. Zurn capped off the scoring with smart base running, taking advantage of a balk and advancing home. By the time the dust settled, the Trojans had built an overwhelming 11-0 lead.
The Trojans tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning. Christopher Nelson got things started with a solid double to right field. Two consecutive balks allowed him to trot home for another run. Samuel Mendoza, entering the game in the fourth, reached base on a walk and advanced on yet another balk. A single from Dominic Chiancone, coupled with defensive errors from Mohave, helped Mendoza and Chiancone score, pushing the Trojans’ lead to 14-0.
While the offense took center stage, Cody Fried turned in a commanding pitching performance. He threw all five innings, delivering 79 pitches against 19 batters. Of those, 50 were strikes, leading to nine total strikeouts—five of which were looking. Fried allowed only two hits and three walks, leaving four Thunderbirds stranded on base.
Pahrump’s defense was sharp, catching two runners stealing and allowing just one stolen base. The shutout victory showcased the Trojans’ ability to dominate in all aspects of the game.
With their explosive offense and lockdown pitching, the Trojans carried strong momentum into the final games of tournament play. Their impressive performance against Mohave solidified them as a team to watch, as they looked to finish the tournament undefeated.
Trojans Battle to a 1-1 Tie Against River Valley in Defensive Standoff
After three dominant victories earlier in the tournament, the Pahrump Valley High School Trojans Varsity baseball team faced their toughest challenge yet in their second game of day two. Taking on the River Valley Dust Devils, both teams put on a defensive showcase, with strong pitching and sharp fielding holding the score at 1-1 after seven innings. With tournament rules preventing extra innings, the game ended in a rare tie, keeping the Trojans’ unbeaten tournament record intact.
River Valley struck first in the opening inning, using solid hitting to put a run on the board. A leadoff double put them in scoring position, followed by a sacrifice grounder to advance the runner. A well-placed single brought the Dust Devils’ only run of the game home.
Despite the early score, the Trojans’ defense remained sharp, preventing River Valley from adding to their total. Strong fielding and composed pitching from Andrew Zurn kept the Dust Devils in check, stranding runners and shutting down scoring opportunities.
The Dust Devils’ pitching and fielding proved just as difficult to crack, holding the Trojans scoreless through three innings. However, in the fourth, Pahrump finally found their opening.
With two outs, Vinny Whitney was hit by a pitch, giving the Trojans a baserunner. His aggressive baserunning on passed balls put him in scoring position, setting the stage for Ben Cimperman. Cimperman came through with a clutch single to right field, bringing Whitney home and tying the game at 1-1.
From that point on, the game became a battle of pitching and defense. Neither team allowed more than four batters to step to the plate in an inning for the remainder of the game. Zurn continued his dominant performance on the mound, throwing all seven innings. He faced 25 batters and threw 74 pitches—46 for strikes—allowing only six hits with no walks. His command kept the Dust Devils off balance, and the Trojans’ solid fielding ensured minimal threats.
On the other side, River Valley’s defense held strong as well, preventing the Trojans from finding another breakthrough. With neither team able to gain the upper hand, the game concluded after seven innings in a hard-fought 1-1 tie.
While the result wasn’t the outright victory the Trojans had hoped for, the game showcased their resilience, defensive strength, and pitching depth. With their spirits high and an undefeated tournament record still intact, the Trojans turned their attention to the final day of tournament play, ready to close out their campaign on a strong note.
Trojans Close Out Tournament with a Dominant 12-1 Victory Over Williams
The PVHS Trojans capped off their tournament run in commanding fashion, overpowering the Williams Vikings 12-1 on the final day of play. With explosive hitting, aggressive baserunning, and solid pitching, the Trojans left no doubt that they were among the top teams in the competition, finishing with an impressive 4-0-1 tournament record.
Despite allowing a single run in the top of the first inning, the Trojans immediately responded with a five-run rally in the bottom of the frame. Tony Whitney sparked the offense by reaching base on a walk and swiftly advancing to third through a stolen base and a wild pitch. Aidyn Cratty wasted no time driving him in with a triple, tying the game at 1-1.
Kayne Horibe followed, reaching first after being hit by a pitch, and quickly stole second. With the bases loaded after an Andrew Zurn walk, Vinny Whitney stepped up and delivered a three-run triple, sending the Trojans surging ahead. A sacrifice fly capped off the inning, giving Pahrump a 5-1 advantage.
The Vikings failed to generate momentum in the second inning, managing just four batters and leaving one on base. Pahrump capitalized once again, with Horibe knocking a triple and scoring on an infield error to extend the lead to 6-1.
The third inning saw the Trojans’ defense at its best, retiring the Vikings in order before adding two more runs. Vinny Whitney led off with a single, followed by Dominik Wilson reaching on an error. A sacrifice grounder by Christopher Nelson advanced both runners, setting up Aaron Rily, who delivered a clutch double to bring Whitney home. Wilson scored shortly after, adding to the Trojans’ commanding lead.
The fourth inning was another showcase of the Trojans’ power at the plate. Cratty led off with a walk and stole second before Horibe crushed a home run over the left-field fence, driving in two more runs. Zurn and Whitney reached base on a walk and an error, respectively, before a Rily double brought both runners home. The Vikings managed to stop the bleeding there, but the Trojans had already built a 12-1 lead.
Pahrump’s pitching staff worked efficiently to keep the Vikings at bay. Ben Cimperman started the game, pitching three innings and facing 12 batters. He threw 34 strikes and 11 balls, allowing just two hits while striking out six, including three batters caught looking.
Horibe took over for the fourth inning, facing five batters and throwing 23 pitches. He recorded one strikeout, two walks, and stranded two runners on base. Tony Whitney closed out the game in the fifth, throwing nine strikes and tallying one strikeout while allowing two walks. The Trojans’ defense held strong, ensuring the Vikings never threatened again.
With the 12-1 victory, the Trojans wrapped up their tournament play undefeated at 4-0-1, finishing among the top four teams. The final standings included: Southwest (5-0), Pahrump Valley (4-0-1), Central (4-1), and Spring Creek (4-1).
The Trojans’ impressive tournament performance highlighted their dominance on both sides of the ball. With powerful hitting, aggressive base running, strong pitching, and sharp defense, Pahrump left the tournament as a force to be reckoned with and a team ready for a strong season ahead.
*A special thank you to Heidi Horibe and Kadee Wilkerson for the photos.
