The Pahrump Valley High School baseball team secured an exciting 4-3 win over the Mater East Academy Knights in a home game on March 12. The Trojans showcased strong defensive plays, aggressive base running, and key at-bats to claim victory in front of their home crowd.
The Knights started off at the plate and managed to get four players on base, including three singles. However, the Trojans’ defense held strong, preventing any runs. Catcher Ben Cimperman set the tone early, throwing out a baserunner attempting to steal second. Solid fielding helped strand three Knights on base, keeping the game scoreless.
When the Trojans stepped up to bat, they wasted no time in making their mark. Tony Whitney led off but grounded out to second. After a quick second out, Kayne Horibe reached base on a walk and took advantage of a wild pitch to steal second. Andrew Zurn also walked, and with Chris Nelson at bat, Horibe stole third and then dashed home on another wild pitch, giving the Trojans an early 1-0 lead.
The second inning saw more strong defense from the Trojans. After allowing a leadoff batter to reach on an error, PVHS responded with a textbook double play. A ground ball to third was quickly relayed to second, where Whitney made the turn to first to complete the inning-ending play.
The Knights struck back in the third, finding their rhythm with aggressive base running and well-placed hits. They managed to bring three runners home, taking a 3-1 lead. The Trojans, however, responded swiftly in the bottom of the third. Tony Whitney reached on a single and advanced to second on an errant throw. Aidyn Cratty followed with a single to right field, allowing Whitney to score. Though Cratty was left on base after three consecutive outs, the Trojans closed the gap to 3-2.
PVHS kept Mater East off the scoreboard in the fourth with strong pitching and defensive execution. When the Trojans came to bat, they took full advantage of their opportunities. Cimperman and Jack Walker both reached base on walks, and a passed ball allowed them to advance. Vinny Whitney delivered a crucial single to drive in Walker, tying the game at 3-3. Although the Trojans loaded the bases, the Knights managed to escape the inning without further damage.
The decisive moment came in the bottom of the fifth. Zurn led off with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved to third on a ground out. Cimperman then reached first after being hit by a pitch, and an error by the catcher allowed Zurn to score, putting the Trojans ahead 4-3. Though PVHS threatened to add more runs, Mater East’s defense held firm to keep it a one-run game.
The final innings saw both teams battling fiercely, but neither could add to the scoreboard. The Trojans’ defense locked in, preventing any last-minute rallies from the Knights and securing the 4-3 victory.
It was a hard-fought win for PVHS, showcasing their resilience and teamwork. With their strong performance on both sides of the field, the Trojans earned a well-deserved home victory and look forward to building on their success in upcoming games.
