Tonopah — Coach Clark Jewett could scarcely have imagined that at the beginning of the season his team would be unbeatable in League (Division IV) with a record of 12-0-0. The Muckers, who are the number one seed in the Southern Nevada Division IV Regional Playoffs, put the icing on the cake of a perfect regular season, beating Indian Springs last Thursday at home 7-8 and 2-12.
“The team did exactly what they needed to do in each one of the games to win,” Jewett said. “I think we had an emotional letdown after beating Alamo, and it showed the kids were jacked up but played very tense. In the second game, we waited a lot longer to start hitting and it showed in the 5th inning.”
According to the Muckers coach, the pitching was as good as it has been all year in both games.
“They just were swinging at everything and that led to some hits for them,” he added. Jewett also had some criticism about his last opponent. “Indian Springs was a very decent team, but once we took the lead in each game they folded, like they gave up,” he said.
These two victories allowed Jewett to achieve a feat he has never done before in his 15 years as a coach, which was being undefeated at home. “I am very proud of each and every one of my guys. They all played a role on this team, and showed it in each and every game this season. There isn’t anything I would change. These kids are awesome, and I would do anything for them,” Jewett said.
Despite the great results achieved in the season so far, the Muckers coach is aware that nothing is done yet. The moment of the truth begins now. “The number one seed is great, but it doesn’t mean anything if we can’t keep it up through the playoffs and the kids know that. They have put in so much work and they want to capitalize on it,” he explained.
In the first round of the divisional playoffs, Tonopah faces today Round Mountain at Alamo, just a month after Jewett’s squad beat them at home by the scores of 15-8 and 6-5.
At this point, the message is crystal clear. “After the Indian Springs games I told my players not to be satisfied. We aren’t done until that last out is made in the championship game. The kids are very focused on what needs to be done,” the Muckers coach insisted. He said his team will play its heart out to achieve the main goal of the season because they want to dedicate the success to an exceptional man.
“We are missing a key person of this team, Javier “Harvey” Gonzalez. He has been an inspiration to this team, and him being gone has this team wanting this for him,” Jewett said.
The Muckers coach also wants to send out huge props to all the Muckers’ fans and parents. “Without their support it wouldn’t be this fun, and these guys are loving it.”
On Tuesday the Trojans baseball team was at home against Tech in the playoffs. It is the second year in a row the Trojans have made post season play. It has also been two short seasons since the team was in the cellar. What a difference two seasons have made.
Trojans Coach Brian Hayes takes his 8-2 conference record and hopes for the best. His goal all year long has been the state title. Of course, last year’s league champion, Faith Lutheran will have a say in it too as they play the number four seed team in the Sunrise League, Moapa Valley. The Trojans will see Faith again.
If the Trojans win they would play the winner of game 4, which is Cheyenne vs. Chaparral. If the Trojans lose they would play the loser of the Cheyenne vs Chaparral game.
The Lady Trojans start their playoffs in game 2 on Tuesday against Moapa Valley in Moapa. The Trojans finished their season with a 6-4 conference record. Trojans Coach Ely Armendariz says his team has to play solid defense to advance in the playoffs.