The Pahrump Valley High School baseball team battled inning by inning in a tightly contested matchup against the Spring Valley Grizzlies at home on Friday, April 10, with strong defensive moments and timely hits keeping the game within reach until the final frame.
On the mound, Cody Fried got the start for the Trojans and set the tone early. Despite a leadoff double in the top of the first, Fried stayed composed, inducing a groundout to move the runner to third before recording a strikeout and another groundout to escape the inning without damage.
The Trojans went quietly in the bottom half, as Tony Whitney, CJ Nelson and Ben Cimperman were retired in order.
Spring Valley threatened again in the second, putting runners on with a walk and a single, but the Trojans’ defense held firm. Tony Whitney was active at shortstop, helping turn a fielder’s choice and later fielding another ground ball to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.
In the bottom of the second, Fried reached base on an error and was later replaced by courtesy runner Dominic Chiancone. Vinny Whitney worked a walk, but the Trojans were unable to capitalize as the inning ended still tied 0-0.
The third inning showcased Fried’s awareness and control on the mound. After issuing a walk, he and the defense erased the threat with aggressive pickoff plays—first catching a runner at third and then picking off another at first to end the inning. That defensive execution kept momentum on the Trojans’ side.
Pahrump Valley began to find rhythm at the plate in the bottom of the third. Tony Whitney sparked things with a single, followed by another base hit from CJ Nelson to put runners on the corners. The rally showed promise, but a pop out ended the inning before the Trojans could push a run across.
Fried continued to battle in the fourth, working around a walk and a catcher’s interference call. Anthony Montanez made a key defensive play at second, recording the final out on a fielder’s choice to strand runners.
In the bottom half, Fried helped his own cause with a single, but a double play halted the momentum. Vinny Whitney later added a base hit to center, though the inning again ended without a breakthrough.
The fifth inning featured one of the Trojans’ strongest defensive moments. After a leadoff single, the infield turned a clean double play started by Tony Whitney at shortstop, quickly shifting the momentum back in Pahrump’s favor. Fried closed out the inning with a strikeout to keep the game scoreless.
Pahrump Valley looked to break through in the bottom of the fifth when Anthony Montanez drew a walk and advanced into scoring position, but the Grizzlies’ defense answered, cutting down a runner at third and ending the threat.
Spring Valley mounted another push in the sixth with a double and a hit-by-pitch, but once again the Trojans held. Kayne Horibe tracked down a pop out in center, and Montanez recorded the final out on a fielder’s choice to keep the scoreboard unchanged.
The Trojans’ offense was held in check in the bottom of the sixth, setting the stage for a decisive seventh inning.
Spring Valley managed to break through in the top of the seventh. A leadoff single and a stolen base put pressure on the defense, and despite a strikeout and a groundout recorded by Kayne Horibe—who had taken over on the mound—the Grizzlies capitalized on a late-inning opportunity, scoring the game’s lone run.
Pahrump Valley didn’t go quietly in the bottom half. Horibe drew a walk to lead things off, and Dominik Wilson reached on an error to keep the inning alive. Anthony Montanez then delivered a clutch single to right field, putting the tying run in scoring position.
With two outs and the game on the line, the Trojans had one final opportunity, but a groundout to the pitcher ended the rally.
Despite the 1-0 final, the Trojans showed resilience throughout, highlighted by strong pitching from Fried, sharp defensive plays—including multiple pickoffs and a key double play—and late-game fight at the plate.
