Before the first pitch was even thrown, Saturday’s matchup between Pahrump Valley High School and Lake Mead Christian carried a special meaning. The Trojans honored their senior class—Manager Tristan Brown, and players Dominic Chiancone, Leland Delgado, Kayne Horibe, Jack Walker, Vinny Whitney, and Dominik Wilson—alongside their families in a pregame ceremony that included a memorable first pitch from each senior’s father.
Head Coach Drew Middleton called the moment a meaningful step forward for the program.
“Senior day was special. I am huge into tradition, and I think what we did for the seniors Saturday is a big step into starting tradition here in our program,” Middleton said. “It was a really cool scene involving the families and celebrating these young men and their accomplishments through their four-year journey here at PVHS.”
That energy carried straight into the game—and into several moments that defined the afternoon.
Lake Mead Christian threatened early in the top of the first, but Vinny Whitney, getting the start on the mound for Pahrump Valley, set the tone immediately with a strikeout to open the game. After a fly out made it two quick outs, the Eagles got a piece of a pitch and drove it deep into left-center. Their dugout erupted on contact, but Kayne Horibe tracked it all the way back to the fence, making a running catch to end the inning and quiet the momentum before it could build.
The Trojans went quietly in the bottom half, with Tony Whitney, Dominic Chiancone, and Vinny Whitney all retired in order.
Whitney continued to work efficiently in the second inning, fielding a bunt himself for the first out. Later in the inning, with a runner crossing in front of him, Leland Delgado stayed composed at second base, fielding a bouncing ball cleanly and making the throw to first for the out. Whitney then worked around a walk and a double, finishing the inning with a strikeout to keep the game scoreless.
Both teams traded quick innings in the third until the Trojans broke through offensively. Paul Walker was hit by a pitch to get things started, and Delgado followed with a line-drive single to move him to third. Jacob Selbach then delivered the first big swing of the day, driving a double into left field to bring home both runners for a 2-0 lead.
Pahrump Valley added another run later in the inning as Chiancone and Vinny Whitney worked walks, eventually leading to a passed ball that allowed Chiancone to score and extend the lead to 3-0.
Defensively, the Trojans continued to back Whitney through the middle innings. In the fourth, Paul Walker handled multiple plays in left, and Tony Whitney, in at catcher, cut down a runner attempting to steal second to end the inning.
Lake Mead Christian began to chip away in the sixth, but not before another standout defensive effort. With runners threatening, Dominik Wilson made a diving stop down the third base line on a sharply hit ground ball. From the ground, he gathered himself and crawled to the bag to record the out and end the inning, keeping the Trojans in control.
In the bottom half of the sixth, the Trojans looked to add insurance. Jack Walker drove a ball into the gap between left and center for a double, and Paul Walker followed by sending a ball into the outfield to move him up to third. Despite the pressure, Lake Mead Christian managed to escape the inning without allowing another run, keeping the score within reach.
That set the stage for a dramatic seventh inning.
Lake Mead Christian rallied in the top half, using a combination of hits, a fielder’s choice, and a passed ball to push across three runs and take a 4-3 lead.
With one final chance, the Trojans answered.
Tony Whitney led off the bottom of the seventh with a double, and moments later, Vinny Whitney came through with a single to tie the game at 4-4. As the inning continued, Vinny took an aggressive lead off second, drawing a throw from the shortstop that sailed past the bag, allowing him to advance to third.
Lake Mead Christian opted to intentionally walk Kayne Horibe, loading the bases and setting up a familiar situation.
Jack Walker stepped to the plate with the game on the line.
Walker lifted a high fly ball to left field. The fielder couldn’t come up with it, and as the ball dropped, Vinny Whitney crossed the plate to secure the 5-4 walk-off win for the Trojans.
Middleton reflected on the moment after the game.
“What’s the saying? How can you not be romantic about baseball?” he said. “Jack Walker… got the game-winning hit in the state championship game his freshman year, got a walk-off hit the first game this year, then on senior day comes to the plate to do it again, and to no surprise he comes through and gets the game-winning hit.”
Whitney’s performance on the mound was equally pivotal. The senior worked into the seventh inning, navigating key situations and giving the Trojans a chance to stay within reach.
“Vinny pitched a heck of a game,” Middleton said. “Throwing 6+ innings. Awesome for a senior to go out on senior day and do his thing on the mound. Defense for the most part played really well on Saturday. It was a really strong collective effort.”
From Horibe’s run to the fence early, to Delgado’s steady play at second, to Wilson’s diving stop at third, and finally Walker’s game-ending swing, the Trojans delivered a performance that matched the moment.
“Perfect day to celebrate this class,” Middleton added. “It was an honor to be a part of it.”
