The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans battled through a challenging start but showcased resilience with a big late-inning push in a 10-6 road contest against the Sierra Vista Mountain Lions on Saturday, March 28.
Pahrump Valley opened the game on offense in the top of the first, but Sierra Vista’s defense set the tone early. Tony Whitney popped out, Anthony Montanez grounded out, and Vinny Whitney struck out swinging to bring a quick end to the inning.
The Trojans responded defensively with a sharp and efficient bottom half. Cody Fried, Kayne Horibe and Vinny Whitney each handled line drives in the outfield, as Sierra Vista went down in order with three consecutive lineouts—an early sign of strong defensive positioning.
In the second inning, Ben Cimperman grounded out to start the frame, but Horibe worked a walk to give the Trojans a baserunner. Dominik Wilson popped out in foul territory, and Jack Walker drew another walk to keep the inning alive. Despite the opportunity, Pahrump Valley couldn’t capitalize, as Cody Fried’s pop out ended the threat.
Sierra Vista broke through in the bottom of the second. After a leadoff single, the Trojans tightened up defensively with a pair of pop outs from Jack Walker and Tony Whitney. However, a passed ball allowed the runner to advance and eventually score, giving the Mountain Lions a 1-0 lead despite another lineout to end the inning.
The Trojans looked to answer in the third when Dominic Chiancone laced a single into the outfield. But Sierra Vista quickly shut down the momentum, turning a double play off the bat of Montanez to end the inning.
On the defensive side, Cimperman continued to compete on the mound in the bottom of the third. Sierra Vista put runners on, but the Trojans managed key outs, including a fielder’s choice from Tony Whitney and a heads-up pickoff by Jack Walker at first base to limit damage. Still, the Mountain Lions scratched across another run to extend the lead to 2-0.
Offense remained hard to come by for Pahrump Valley in the fourth. Vinny Whitney struck out, Cimperman popped out, and Horibe lined out as Sierra Vista continued to keep the Trojans off balance.
In the bottom half, Sierra Vista added to its lead with a solo home run, though the Trojans continued to battle defensively. Chiancone caught a runner stealing at second, and Montanez helped execute a play at the plate to prevent further scoring, keeping the deficit manageable at 3-0.
The fifth inning proved pivotal. Pahrump Valley showed patience at the plate, with Wilson recording a single and both Fried and Chiancone drawing walks. However, Sierra Vista escaped the jam without allowing a run.
Momentum shifted heavily in the bottom of the fifth, as Sierra Vista capitalized on walks and hit batters to string together a big inning. Despite defensive efforts, including a fielder’s choice by Montanez to record an out, the Mountain Lions extended their lead to 8-0.
But the Trojans refused to back down.
In the top of the sixth, Pahrump Valley erupted offensively. Montanez and Vinny Whitney both reached base via walks, and Horibe followed with another free pass to load the bases. Wilson was then hit by a pitch to bring in the Trojans’ first run, and Walker drew a walk to force in another.
The rally continued as Horibe scored on a passed ball, cutting further into the deficit. After a strikeout, Paul Walker delivered a key moment with a two-run double off the fence, bringing home Wilson and Jack Walker. Moments later, Tony Whitney drove a triple into the outfield, scoring another run and energizing the Trojans’ dugout as they pulled within 8-6.
Sierra Vista answered in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on a leadoff walk and a double to plate a run, followed by another scoring play to push the lead to 10-6. Still, Pahrump Valley recorded key outs, including a groundout by Tony Whitney to close the inning.
In the seventh, the Trojans continued to compete at the plate but were ultimately held scoreless, as Sierra Vista secured the final three outs to end the game.
Despite the result, Pahrump Valley showed grit and determination, particularly with their six-run sixth inning that shifted the momentum and demonstrated their ability to respond under pressure.
Head Coach Drew Middleton reflected on both the positives and areas for growth following the game.
“Saturday against Sierra vista, another slow offensive start. Ben Cimperman threw 4 really good competitive innings. Once we pulled Ben we starting falling behind hitters and walking guys, and when you face legit competition like that, they will make you pay. We have a great 6th inning putting up 6 runs capped off with an impressive double off the fence from Paul Walker. But ultimately our come back efforts fell short late.”
The Trojans will look to build on that late-inning spark as they continue their season, carrying forward the fight and resilience they displayed on the road.
