VVHS, Mesquite, NV-

Virgin Valley High School’s baseball team went head to head against Pahrump Valley on March 25, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. The teams faced off on the Bulldog’s home field, located at VVHS’ campus at 820 Valley View Dr., Mesquite, NV.

Virgin Valley’s baseball team’s rollercoaster of a season has seen its many ups and downs. The Dawgs won the Cactus Classic Tournament, with a feature win against rival Moapa Valley High School with a score of 7-0. The team experienced a down after losing to Boulder City. This week started off well for the dawgs. Pitcher Jared Jensen’s arm felt better this week, leading the Dawgs to victory in a back and forth game against Valley High School. The Dawgs came on top, after several lead changes throughout the game, 11-6. Setting up high hopes for the Friday afternoon game against the notoriously tough Pahrump Valley Trojans. 

The Dawgs took a devastating loss against the Trojans. The final score, after completing only five innings, was 11-0. Player #2 for Pahrump Valley, Kyle McDaniel, looked more like an MLB pitcher than a high school pitcher. Recording 13 of the 15 outs by strikeout in the shortened, lopsided victory for Pahrump Valley. Kyle McDaniel pounded the fastball on the corner of the plate and threw a nasty curveball that would dive out of the strike zone leaving Bulldog batters off-balanced and frustrated. 

The traveling strike zone added to the frustration, which boiled over in the 2nd inning with the ejection of #19 Kyler Sudweeks. Sudweeks struck out on a questionable, high, fastball called for a third strike. The fans erupted in jears, and Kyler’s glare drew an ejection from the game. Coach Dan Wright requested that the fans showed some bulldog pride and the inning continued without incident. Not only was Virgin Valley struggling at the plate, but they also gave out 6 errors in the field.

#1 Bryce Intagliata started on the mound and pitched well, but the team succumbed to their 6 untimely errors. Switching up pitchers, Kurt Felix came in for Bryce Intagliata starting in the top of the 4th inning. #6 Kurt Felix on the mound managed, with a great move, to pick off Pahrump’s #3 at second base, assisted by #11 shortstop Jared Jensen laying down the tag. Bulldog fans erupted as the base runner was called out.

Bright spots for the game came in the bottom of the fourth with sophomore Bryce Intagliata with a base hit, and #27 Braden Harris followed with another base hit. Unfortunately, that was the extent of a threat the Dawgs made on the offensive side.

In the 5th inning stretch, Principal Riley Frei supported the numerous fans that endured the Mesquite heat. Mr. Frei graciously handed out a frozen treat, otter pops, to cool down family and friends who came to show their support. 

The team hopes to get back on the upward trend as they face Canyon Springs High School away on March 28 at 3:30 p..m. and Arbor View High School the following day on March 29 at 3:30 p.m.