LAS VEGAS BALLPARK – The semi-final game between the Las Vegas Wildcats and Reno Huskies proved worthy. After winning two games yesterday, the Wildcats proved to everyone, they were once again ready for the task in front of them. ’19 Nate Freimuth took the hill for the third time in three days and did everything he could early. After surrendering a run in the first, the Wildcats struck of three in the top of the second. Freimuth kept the Huskies bats quiet until the bottom of the fourth, when Reno plated 5 runners to capture the lead. Reno starter, August Souza was lifted early due to control problems, but Skylar Hales picked him up tossing 5.1 innings of relief, leading the Huskies to a 7-4 victory. Offensively, ’19 Ryan Hess, ’22 Grayson Grinsell, and ’19 Garret Damico had multiple hit days. For Vegas, the hero of Thursday night’s game, Oliver Haro-Reyes was 3-3 and Joel Lindahl chipped in a pair of hits.  The victory advanced Reno to a championship matchup with Desert Oasis. However, in order to win, the championship, the Huskie’s would have to defeat Desert Oasis twice.

On the mound, in the first of what would become two games, was #1 Ranked Aaron Roberts. Roberts was sharp in 5.1 innings of work, striking out 11, allowing just 1 hit and 1 earned run. Roberts pitched mostly 91-93, touching 95. He threw primarily fastballs with an occasional breaking ball.  The lone earned run came via a walk, wild pitch, and then a two out single by Grayson Grinsell. The Huskies would score three times in the sixth with a 2-RBI single from ’20 Coleman Schmidt and an RBI double from Grinsell, taking a 4-1 lead.

On the mound for Reno, senior, John Barry pitched commendably. Barry got the start after starting game one of the tournament and kept the potent D’Back lineup off balance.  Barry combined with closer, Ryan Hess to surrender just one run over 7 innings. The win by Reno forced the “if” and final game.

For the first time on the day, Reno looked spent.  Closer Ryan Hess started on the mound for the Huskies and DJ Jefferson for the Diamondbacks. Hess surrendered four runs on six hits in the first and Jefferson yielded just one run over 3.2 innings of work. Jefferson pitched with primarily a fastball 87-90, touching 92. He too, threw just an occasional breaking ball 64-66. Josh Sharman entered in relief of Jefferson, throwing the final 3.1 innings. The weary Huskies battled, but in the end, the D’Back offense pounded out 9 runs on sixteen hits with 8 of the nine starters collecting a hit and 6 of 9 with multiple hits.  Desert Oasis seemed almost destined from the start of the season to compete for a state championship and to their credit realized that destiny.

3A

In the NIAA class 3A state tournament, Truckee defeated Boulder City advancing to today’s championship vs fellow Northern Region competitor, Churchill County.  The Greenwave beat Boulder City after the Eagles fell prey to the Wolverines.

Truckee vs Churchill County, 10 am

2A

After losing in the opening round The Meadows battled back to the championship game to face Lincoln County. The Mustangs, hosting on the championship on their homefield will get another crack at the Lynx today at 10 am, but will need to defeat the Lynx twice to earn the state title.

The Meadows vs Lincoln County 10 am

1A

Pahranagat Valley beat Indian Springs in the early winners bracket game, but Indian Spring fought all the way back and will get another shot at the Panthers in the championship today. They will need to win the 10 am game to force and “if” game and a potential state championship 

Pahranagat Valley vs Indian Springs 10 am