Kyle McDaniel wins ‘home-run derby’ at alumni exhibition game

Eighteen PVHS alumni, the current Trojans baseball team and lots of supporters attended the annual Maroon & Gold exhibition game on Saturday at Pahrump Valley High School to support the school’s baseball program.

For the past 10 years, PVHS baseball alumni have matched up with members of the current team in a friendly exhibition ahead of the spring season.

“The exhibition game wasn’t about the score, it was about the camaraderie, the memories made and the support toward Trojan baseball,” said Charlotte Uyeno, an organizer of the event.

The Class of 2002 made a great showing with four alumni attending the exhibition.

“Justin Jones has not made an event in the past and decided to come out of retirement to enjoy the festivities with Brent Kaucky nudging him to attend,” Uyeno said. “With Justin making it out and then with the surprise arrival of John Stevens, Class of 2001, all made for some great memories for members of that era.”

Fifteen competed in the home-run derby on Saturday, where batters compete to hit the most home runs.

Pahrump Valley High junior Kyle McDaniel won the event after knocking out four home runs, making him the first non-alum in history to win the annual competition.

Class of 2008 alum Iggy Wagner hit three home runs. Alumni Brent Kaucky, Matt Stevens, Chad Uyeno and Matt Wagner each hit one home run. Zack Cuellar, a current student on the team, also hit one home run.

“Every year we see new faces for the alumni and the younger group of kids see what type of talent has come out of Pahrump and the Trojan program,” Uyeno said.

The Maroon & Gold exhibition game started 10 years ago when Rich Lauver was head coach of the program and included a spaghetti dinner and ugly cake contest.

This year’s event had a Hawaiian theme.

“We served up close to 100 plates that included Kalua pig, guava chicken, rice, potato salad and Chantilly cake,” said Uyeno, noting the event’s Hawaiian theme.

Head coach Roy Uyeno will lead the Trojans baseball team this season.

He thanked everyone who came out on Saturday, including all the coaches who supported everyone during the event.