The Top 3 matchup was slotted as a potential pitchers dual with LSU commit, James Whitaker, and LMU Signee, Zachary Bender, squaring off against each others stoutl lineups. The game stayed quiet through the first three innings with Gorman scratching a run across in the bottom of the 4th, then the Panthers answered back in the 5th with a go-ahead, no doubt grand slam from Oregon commit, Tanner Johns. After Bender stood tall for his 4.2 innings of work, Mayson Reichartz worked a scoreless 2.1 innings to secure the win for Palo Verde.

 

+ Tanner Johns, 2025 OF/LHP - Arguably, no one has had a bigger last 12 months than Tanner Johns and yesterday's contest was no different. Coming off of a Summer/Fall that saw him make the USA NTDP, the Oregon commit has added obvious physical strength to his frame and it was on full display in yesterday's matchup vs. the top ranked Gaels. Behind 0-2 in the count, Johns got every bit of a hanging breaking ball left out over the heart of the plate for a grand slam, putting Palo up 5-1 in the top of the 5th and never looking back.

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+ Burke Mabeus, 2024 C - Mabeus continues to prove that he is one of the top bats in the state with an ability to get it done from both sides of the plate. Barreling a clutch RBI single in Game 1 of the 2024 High School season from the right side, the Oregon commit did all he could to spark the Gaels offense in the bottom of the first with a loud single to right-centerfield from the left side. The #2 overall ranked prospect in Nevada's 2024 Class, Mabeus has attracted significant pro attention so far this Spring and it doesn't seem like it will slow down as the Gaels head into the gauntlet of their Spring schedule.

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+ James Whitaker, 2025 RHP/OF - Whitaker is 2 for 2 with standout outings this Spring as he has been slotted to take on the states #2 and #3 ranked teams, holding his own against each with his fastball, changeup, breaking ball mix that has proven effective against some of the top hitters in the state. Allowing two earned runs while striking out four in yesterday's matchup, for the most part, keeping the stout Palo Verde bats quiet throughout. The LSU commit projects to continue being the front end arm for the Gaels as they are set to begin the their mid-season tournaments that will feature some of the nations top teams. 

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+ Zach Bender, 2024 RHP - Arguably the highest riser in Nevada's 2024 Class over the last year has been Loyola Marymount signee, Zach Bender. The 6-foot-5 rights hander allowed one run throuhgout his 4.2 innings work. His mostly fastball/slider mix that saw his fastball running up to 92 mph was able to keep the Gaels bats quiet throuhgout his outing, striking out three in the process. Coming out of a loose, 3/4 slot, Bender projects to toe the rubber in every high level matchup for the Panthers this Spring and is expected to be a key factor in how deep of a run they are able to make in 2024.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Las Vegas Rising Stars ID	NV	03/10	Desert Oasis High School
Reno Rising Stars ID	NV	03/30	Reed High School - Sparks, NV
Idaho Rising Stars ID	NV	05/05	Middleton High School
Las Vegas Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only)	NV	05/21	College of Southern Nevada
Idaho State Games (Invite Only)	NV	06/04	College of Southern Idaho - Twin Falls, ID
Reno Top Prospect Games (Invite-Only)	NV	06/12	University of Nevada

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