The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans baseball team faced off against The Meadows Mustangs in a two-game series, with each team securing a win on their home field. The Mustangs took the first game in dominant fashion on Wednesday, April 16, while the Trojans answered back with a strong performance at home on Monday, April 21.
April 16 – The Meadows 11, PVHS 1
The Trojans struggled offensively in the opening game of the series, falling to the Mustangs 11-1 at The Meadows. Pahrump Valley couldn’t get their bats going early, going scoreless through the first four innings.
The Mustangs wasted no time, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. After a leadoff error and a stolen base, a sacrifice fly moved the runner to third, who then scored on a single. Another single combined with a fielding error brought in a second run before a two-run homer capped the inning.
The Meadows added another run in the second and exploded in the fourth inning with six more runs, putting them firmly in control with an 11-0 lead.
The Trojans finally broke through in the fifth. Kayne Horibe hit a line drive single to right field, followed by a single from Cody Fried. After a walk to Dominic Chiancone loaded the bases, Logan Donnelly grounded out to bring in Horibe. A ground out by Tony Whitney ended the game, sealing an 11-1 win for The Meadows.
April 21 – PVHS 8, The Meadows 3
The second game of the series saw a completely different Trojans squad take the field in Pahrump, showing poise, energy, and grit from the first pitch. The home game also served as the team’s annual Pink Game, held in honor of breast cancer awareness. Players and fans donned pink to show support for the cause, adding a meaningful layer of motivation to the day’s matchup.
Starting pitcher Andrew Zurn led the defensive charge, keeping the Mustangs off balance all game long. In the top of the first, the Mustangs managed a single and a double, but key defensive plays left both runners stranded.
The bottom of the second proved to be a turning point. Aidyn Cratty led off with a walk, and an errant pickoff attempt by the pitcher saw Cratty sprinting around the bases, scoring on the overthrow to put the Trojans on the board first. Although the next three batters were retired in order, the energy boost from Cratty’s hustle play clearly shifted momentum in Pahrump’s favor.
The Mustangs tied the game in the third after a deep triple and a passed ball, but Pahrump responded immediately. Aaron Rily started the bottom of the third with an infield single, and Cody Fried followed with another single. A groundout from Tony Whitney moved both runners into scoring position. Vinny Whitney then ripped a line drive into center field, bringing both Rily and Fried home. Zurn kept the rally going with a solid single to left, moving Whitney to second. Although Cratty struck out next, a dropped third strike and error by the catcher allowed Whitney to score. Chris Nelson struck out to end the inning, but the Trojans led 4-1.
In the fourth, the Mustangs trimmed the lead to 4-3 after an error and a pair of fielder’s choices allowed two runs to come across. But the Trojans defense responded, locking down and ending the inning without further damage.
Pahrump pulled away in the bottom of the fifth. Tony Whitney led off with a sharp single to right field, and Vinny Whitney was hit by a pitch. Zurn came through again with a hard-hit single up the middle, scoring both runners and stretching the Trojans’ lead to 6-3. Then Cratty stepped up and crushed a two-run home run over the left field fence, scoring himself and courtesy runner Dominik Wilson. The Trojans now held a commanding 8-3 lead.
From there, it was all defense. The Mustangs were shut down in the sixth and seventh innings, including a smooth double play by Zurn, who snagged a line drive and doubled off the runner at first. Solid infield play and smart pitching sealed the win.
Zurn finished with a strong pitching line, backed by standout performances from Cratty, who not only homered but also made sharp defensive plays at shortstop, and Vinny Whitney, who contributed both at the plate and on the basepaths.
The win gave the Trojans a much-needed boost and demonstrated their ability to bounce back under pressure. With the series split, the Trojans showed they can learn from their mistakes and rise to the occasion—especially when backed by their home crowd.
