LAS VEGAS, NV – In a preseason scrimmage yesterday at Palo Verde, the defending state champion, Panthers hosted the Desert Oasis Diamondbacks (DO).  High school programs are using what is left of this week, and possibly next, to polish play prior to the NIAA season start date, March 7^th.  These two teams will likely figure into post season play come May and the implications could be felt.  Each team threw a staff of arms at the other.  Palo started ’20 Jaden Agassi, a Southern California commit, while the D’backs countered with Josh Sharman (UNLV). Scoring was at a premium early with the D’backs striking first.  The D’backs were able to stretch the lead off the bat of Aaron Roberts (Cal) who hit a two-run homerun to right field, making the score 5-0.  The D’backs platoon of hurlers Sharman, Holt (USC) and Roberts did not surrender a hit.  The Panthers did manage to score via some DO miscues, including a hit batsman and wild pitch. With the score 8-3 in the sixth, Panther outfielder, Thomas Di Landri (TCU) would connect for a homerun, cutting into the D’back lead.  With two outs in the bottom of the 7^th, the scrimmage was halted due to darkness, Desert Oasis leading Palo Verde by a score of 9-6.  The D’backs used 5 pitchers in total, finishing the game with DJ Jefferson (USC) and Tyler Montoya.  The Panthers threw Jaden Agassi, Austin Raleigh (UNLV), and ’20 Paul Shawn Pasqualatto.  Of note, the Panthers were without the services of SS/RHP Peyton Cole (BYU). Cole should be back by the opener next week.

PBR Nevada #1, Aaron Roberts (2019) connects for  an opposite field homerun during Thursday's scrimmage vs Palo Verde.  This was Roberts 5th homerun in the last 19 games.

 

With the initial PBR Nevada class of 2021 rankings set to come out next week, we take a look at Thomas Di Landri (Palo Verde). Evident by this homerun to left field, Di Landri is sure to show up somewhere on that list next week.