The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans once again made a statement on their home field, delivering a second consecutive 16-1 win over the Chaparral High School Cowboys. After securing a 16-1 victory on the road on April 22, the Trojans kept the momentum going in their return matchup at home, demonstrating sharp execution on both sides of the ball.
The Cowboys got the game underway in the top of the first, reaching base on an error at the mound. However, the Trojans’ defense quickly settled in. Tony Whitney fielded a grounder at second and tossed it to shortstop Aidyn Cratty, who threw to first to complete a smooth double play. Right fielder Aaron Rily then made the catch on a fly ball to close out the half inning without any damage.
Pahrump wasted no time getting on the board. Whitney reached base on a walk and immediately set the tone by stealing bases aggressively, eventually stealing home on a passed ball. Anthony Montanez followed with a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball before being driven in by Cratty’s single to left. Cratty and Kayne Horibe worked a dynamic sequence that saw Cratty steal second and score on Horibe’s grounder. Horibe continued the aggressive baserunning, stealing second and third and scoring on a Chaparral error. The Trojans kept up the pressure with Aaron Rily knocking in Jack Walker, and a combination of steals and defensive miscues allowed more runs to cross. When the dust settled, Pahrump led 7-0 after just one inning.
The Trojans defense remained strong in the second. After a flyout to center, a strikeout, and a quick popout to second, Chaparral managed only one base hit in the inning without advancing a runner beyond first.
In the bottom half of the second, Pahrump’s offense exploded again. After Andrew Zurn singled and Aidyn Cratty was hit by a pitch, Kayne Horibe launched a three-run homer over the left field fence, extending the lead. Jack Walker and Cody Fried followed up with back-to-back singles, and when Aaron Rily walked, the bases were loaded. A passed ball allowed two more Trojans to score before the Cowboys could finally record the third out. By the end of the second inning, Pahrump had built a commanding 12-0 advantage.
Chaparral’s offensive struggles continued in the third. Though they managed to load the bases with a walk, an error, and a hit-by-pitch, Pahrump’s defense kept them from capitalizing, getting a key out on a bunt and stranding the runners.
Pahrump’s bats stayed hot in their half of the third. Zurn started things off again with a single, and after Cratty walked, Jack Walker was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Fried delivered a clutch single to center, bringing in two more runs. Though Chaparral managed to escape further damage, the Trojans stretched their lead to 14-0 heading into the fourth inning.
Sam Mendoza took the mound for Pahrump to start the fourth. Despite a hit batter and a single, the Trojans defense came through once more. After an attempted steal at home was snuffed out by a quick throw from Horibe, and a flyout to right field, Chaparral managed to push across their lone run of the game on a wild pitch before lining out to third to end the inning.
Looking to finish things early, the Trojans sealed the deal in the bottom of the fourth. Ben Cimperman led off with a walk and was soon brought home by Dominik Wilson’s single to left. Zurn added another single to load the bases once again. Cratty drew a walk that forced in another run, and with the 15-run mercy rule in effect, the game was called with the Trojans walking away with a decisive 16-1 victory.
The win capped a dominant two-game stretch for Pahrump Valley against Chaparral, reinforcing the Trojans’ ability to maintain focus and intensity both on the road and at home as they near the end of their season.
*Photos are from a game earlier this season.
