The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans put together a well-rounded effort both at the plate and in the field on Monday, May 24, earning a 6-3 win over the visiting Virgin Valley Bulldogs. With standout pitching from Aidyn Cratty, sharp defensive plays across the diamond, and key hits in clutch moments, the Trojans showed grit and determination from start to finish.
The game opened with a spark from the Bulldogs, who managed to put one on the board early with a solo home run—the third batter up in the top of the first inning. The long ball was the only blemish in an otherwise quiet frame for Virgin Valley, as Cratty and the Trojans limited any further damage. The Bulldogs carried their momentum briefly into the bottom of the first, retiring the Trojans in order to hold onto their 1-0 lead.
In the top of the second, Cratty locked in on the mound. He mowed down the first two Bulldog batters with back-to-back strikeouts before allowing a walk. However, the inning came to a swift end when shortstop Tony Whitney read a pop fly perfectly, making the grab and stranding the runner.
The bottom of the second showed signs of life for the Trojans. Andrew Zurn opened the inning with a deep fly ball to center field but was caught for the first out. Chris Nelson then reached base after a hard grounder to third was mishandled, and Vinny Whitney followed with a grounder to second that was also misplayed, putting two on with one out. Despite the opportunity, the next two Trojans struck out, leaving runners on first and second.
Cratty continued to control the tempo in the third, again striking out the first two batters. After giving up a single, the inning was capped off by a routine fly ball to center field, handled cleanly by Kayne Horibe, keeping the score at 1-0.
The Trojans came into the bottom of the third determined to get on the board. After a groundout by Cody Fried, Tony Whitney ripped a ground ball into center field for a base hit. With Aidyn Cratty up to bat, Whitney advanced to second on a fake bunt play, putting pressure on the Bulldogs. Cratty drew a walk, and both runners moved into scoring position. Though Horibe struck out, Andrew Zurn stepped up and delivered a single to center field, driving in Whitney and moving Cratty to third. Nelson grounded out to second to end the inning, but the Trojans had tied the game at 1-1.
The top of the fourth saw the Bulldogs try to respond, getting two runners on through a single and an error. However, the Trojans’ defense once again stepped up. Catcher Ben Cimperman caught a runner leading off first and picked him off with a quick throw. Tony Whitney then fielded a routine ground ball and fired it to first for the third out.
In the bottom half, the Trojans couldn’t find their offensive rhythm, despite good contact. After a quick groundout, the Bulldogs turned a smooth double play on a sharp hit by Chris Nelson to end the inning and keep the game tied.
The fifth inning was a clinic in clean fielding for the Trojans. Vinny Whitney made a strong catch in left field to get the first out. Then Dominic Chiancone and Chris Nelson took care of business with back-to-back grounders, fielding cleanly and making accurate throws to first.
With that momentum, Pahrump went back to work at the plate. Tony Whitney lined out to second, but Cratty got on with a sharply hit ball to left. Horibe followed with an infield single to third, hustling down the line as Cratty advanced to third on the throw. Zurn grounded out to the pitcher, but the Bulldogs’ throw to first allowed Cratty to come home and break the tie. On a dropped third strike, Nelson hustled safely to first and Horibe darted home from third, giving the Trojans a 3-1 lead.
The top of the sixth was more of the same for the Pahrump defense. Whitney recorded another fly out in left, Cimperman handled a tricky pop-up down the first base line in foul territory, and Cratty finished the inning with a strikeout—his sixth of the night.
In the bottom of the sixth, Cimperman got things rolling with a line-drive single to center field. After a strikeout, Anthony Montanez entered as a courtesy runner for the catcher. Though Fried flew out to right for the second out, T Whitney drew a walk and Cratty was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Horibe came through in a big way, sending a fly ball to center that dropped in and drove in both Montanez and Whitney. Cratty, showing hustle on the basepaths, later scored on a passed ball while Zurn was at the plate. The inning ended with Zurn striking out, but not before the Trojans added three more runs to go up 6-1.
Looking to close it out in the seventh, the Trojans brought in Dominik Wilson to the mound. The Bulldogs weren’t ready to roll over, leading off with two singles and putting runners in scoring position. Wilson responded with a strikeout, and Zurn made a critical catch on a foul ball at first for the second out. Virgin Valley managed to plate two more runs on a line drive to center, but Horibe was in perfect position to snag the next ball hit his way, securing the final out and the Trojans’ 6-3 win.
The game was a testament to teamwork, patience at the plate, and dependable defense. Cratty’s command on the mound and the Trojans’ ability to capitalize on key moments proved to be the difference, as Pahrump Valley continues to build momentum early in the season.
