Las Vegas, NV - Day one at the Diamondback Invitational saw the Desert Oasis host perennial Utah power Cottonwood High School.  The Diamondbacks once again rode the heavy bat of first baseman, Aaron Roberts (2019) who paced the offense with a three run homerun, carrying them to a late inning 4-1 lead. Jacob Kieffer was excellent on the mound, yielding just one unearned run in a solid outing.  However, a late inning rally by Cottowood propelled them to the come from behind win.   The Diamondbacks will host a double header on Saturday versus O’Connor (AZ), 10:30 am and South Hills (CA), 1 pm.

HERITAGE PARK -Chris Scheff and his Southern Nevada Navy squad took on the Southwest Nationals (AZ). While Southern Nevada, worked with a limited roster due to the 12 pm start, there were many notable players. Here is a few that warrant mention.

Ethan Stephens, C, 2020, Coronado

Uncommitted. Projectable, 6-foot-4, 175. Stephens has plenty of room to add weight and strength. Defensively, he sat well in his crouch and the large frame backstop was 2.0-2.1 with throws down between innings.  At the plate, he showed an aggressive approach and potential leverage power.

Demetrius Vigil, RHP, 2020, Basic

Uncommitted. Slender, 6-foot-2, 170, Vigil has a lean, projectable, athletic frame. His fastball was 80-83 with consistent down plane. Curveball was 67-68 with solid shape.   He maintained a short takeaway with good arm speed on his pitches.  He pitched with area control and was athletic off the mound as well. Vigil is a solid follow and appears poised for a future jump.

In a nightcap, the Las Vegas Recruits (LVR) took on the SoCal Bombers.  A well-played affair, LVR split mound duties between a host of quality arms. Michael Rice (2020, Faith Lutheran) started the game, displaying a fastball 86-88 and curveball 72-73.  They relieved with Paul Shawn Pasqualatto (2020, Spring Valley) fastball 89-90, curveball 73-74, and changeup 76-77. Both Rice and Pasqualatto have been previously featured and did not disappoint. Catching the eye of PBR Nevada on this evening was Trevor Meisner. 

Trevor Meisner, RHP/OF, 2020, Bishop Gorman

Uncommitted. Lean, 6-foot, 165, Meisner has an athletic frame with square shoulders. He delivers from an overhand slot with consistent down plane. His fastball was a projectable 82-84 with occasional late life. His downer curveball was 72-73. The delivery showed athleticism and was up tempo with a slight arch in his back at the top of his balance point that created a slot for the arm angle. The limited look, did not reveal a changeup, but his arm action will lend to a good one with a high level of full arm deception.

BASIC HIGH SCHOOL  - The late game saw Basic host the OC Lightning. Shane Spencer (2019, Basic), a Long Beach State commit, started the game.  He pitched with his fastball 87-88 touching 90. Spencer’s curveball was 73-74 while the changeup was 78-80.  With a faced paced delivery accompanied by a quick arm and manageable effort, Spencer maintained his velocity from both the windup and stretch. His fastball had “snake” like life.  The breaking ball had good shape and occasional late action. The changeup showed steady sink. Spencer left the game trailing 4-1.