The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans baseball team opened regional playoff action with a high-energy game on Monday, May 4, taking on the Moapa Valley Pirates on the road. Though the Pirates ultimately came away with the 11-7 win, the Trojans showed strong offensive moments and resilient defense throughout the matchup, leaving plenty of optimism as the double-elimination tournament continues.
The Trojans came out swinging in the top of the first, sparked by leadoff hitter Tony Whitney who reached base on a walk and quickly made his way around the bases with aggressive baserunning. Andrew Zurn drew a walk of his own, and Aidyn Cratty’s single to left field led to two early runs after a fielding error. With runners still on base, a wild pitch allowed another run to cross the plate before the inning ended with Pahrump holding a 3-0 lead.
Moapa Valley answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, but pitcher Cody Fried worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam with two strikeouts. The second inning proved quiet on both sides, with each defense recording three quick outs.
In the top of the third, the Trojans extended their lead thanks to heads-up base running and timely hits. Vinny Whitney reached on an error and eventually scored on a Cratty single, while Cratty himself came home after a passed ball. Despite Zurn being caught at third and a strikeout by CJ Nelson, Pahrump managed to push their lead to 5-1 by the end of the half-inning.
Moapa responded again in the bottom of the third, cutting into the Trojans’ lead with two runs, including a daring attempt to steal home that was denied by a textbook throw from Fried to catcher Ben Cimperman. The score remained in Pahrump’s favor at 5-3.
However, the momentum shifted in the bottom of the fourth. After a run scored on a passed ball and a pair of walks, the Pirates capitalized on their opportunities with a two-RBI double and a home run over the left field fence that added three more to the board, giving Moapa an 8-5 lead.
Pahrump fought back in the top of the fifth. Cratty walked and was brought in by a sharp double to right field from Kayne Horibe, narrowing the gap to 8-6. Moapa tacked on another run in the bottom of the inning, but the Trojans weren’t done yet.
In the top of the sixth, TC Hone sparked the dugout with a double to left field, advancing to third on an error. He came home on a solid single by Vinny Whitney, once again putting the Trojans within striking distance at 9-7. Zurn followed with a single, but the Pirates held Pahrump from doing any further damage in the inning.
Horibe took the mound for the Trojans in the bottom of the sixth and managed to notch a strikeout, but Moapa capitalized on a walk and a pair of hits to bring in two more runs, stretching their lead to 11-7.
In their final at-bat in the seventh, the Trojans were unable to mount a comeback, as Moapa’s pitching closed out the game to secure the win. Despite the loss, Pahrump Valley’s performance was filled with competitive spirit and determination, and with regional playoffs operating under a double-elimination format, the Trojans still have an opportunity to fight their way into the State tournament. Their focus now turns to the next game, where another shot at keeping their season alive awaits.
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