Trojans baseball is starting practices and hopes to revisit the playoffs this year. To get to the playoffs Pahrump (21-13-1 overall, 8-6 Sunset League) will need to field a good rotation of pitchers.
Last year the team finished in fourth place. The team went to the playoffs and lost two games.
Trojans coach Brian Hayes hopes three pitchers, senior Kyle Kral, junior Parker Hart and junior Josh Ferrer will be enough to carry the team.
“We have been working hard to develop our pitching and have a solid group returning,” he said. “Kral, Ferrer and Hart have all been working hard during the preseason. They should see the bulk of innings during our intra squads and preseason scrimmages, depending on how well they pitch.”
Hayes has a lot of experience developing pitchers, having been a college catcher in his younger days.
One of last year’s pitchers, Josh Mortenson is playing college ball this year.
He said he has all three working on a changeup.
Other pitchers the coach is looking at are Drew Walker (wrestling), Garret Lucas (basketball) and Brada Costa, who threw well for us during last season and the summer.
“Statistically, Drew was our best pitcher last year and Garret and Brada both pitched as
well on our JV team last season,” Hayes said. “All of these guys have potential to be our ace but it will boil down to who has the most success during our scrimmages and preseason tournaments.”
The coach is also developing relief pitchers.
“We also have John MacDonald and Willie Lucas, who we may use out of the bullpen,” the coach said. “We are a little worried with our JV pitching staff. Only Tyler Floyd has done any preseason work, but has been having arm problems.”
-Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com