Prep Baseball Report

NV JUCO: CSN Manny Guerra Memorial Coyote Border Battle - Day 2 Recap


Buddy Gouldsmith
PBR Nevada



MANNY GUERRA MEMORIAL COYOTE BORDER BATTLE - DAY 2


Central Arizona - 14
Gateway (AZ) - 6


With the sun barely up, the Central Arizona Vacqueros (CAC) and the Gateway Geckos took the Field at Morse Stadium. It appeared that both teams were not quite ready to play on this brisk Vegas morning.  Vacquero starter, Jonathan Stroman, RHP (SO) pitched with a FB 86-91 touching 92 struggled with command. Lifted after 3 innings, surrendering 4 runs on 4 walks for 6’6 RHP Avery Jones. Jones threw 4 innings, allowing 0 runs with 5 strikeouts and just one walk.  His fastball ranged 86-92 with curveball 69-72. The lanky right-hander pitched consistently downhill. In spite of a lack of velocity on the breaking ball, it showed solid shaped and the makings of a future out pitch. The game had more than a half dozen miscues, each time making their share of errors, ending after 8 innings due to run rule.  Offensively, the CAC offense was paced by leadoff hitter and shortstop Liam Spencewho went a perfect 4 for 4 with a double and stolen base.


San Jacinto (TX) - 6
Central Arizona - 5

 

 

The day belonged to Jackson Rutledge, RHP (San Jac).  The 6’7” 250 right-hander performed dominantly. His fastball was consistently 95-96, touching as much as 98 and 99 on neighboring guns.  He showed a feel for 4 pitches with distinct definition between the slider, 86-88, and the curverball, 80-84. Rutledge flashed a changeup 86 with limited looks.  He threw from a high ¾ slot with short tight arm circle and solid command, displaying the ability to backdoor and backfoot both breaking balls. His fastball had consistent down plane.  Rutledge struck out 7 in 5 innings of scoreless work. Vacqueros starter, Lucas Knowles was impressive in his own right. His fastball ranged 87-89, located to both sides of the plate. He showed feel for a slider, 77-79 as well as a changeup 78-79.  Knowles relied heavily on a solid changeup with consistent arm side run. Short of Knowles issuing a double to San Jac SS, Camryn Williams in the first inning, he kept the Gators in check, giving up just two hits, striking out 7. Costly errors led to two unearned runs.  Relievers for both squads had their struggles. After being held scoreless through six, the Vacqueros scored 5 runs in two innings, taking the lead 5-4 in the 8th.  The Gators would answer with two in the top of the ninth and then hand the ball to Luke Little.  The 6’8 220, LHP would record the final three outs, sitting 92 with a 78-80 sweeping slider in his second outing in two day. Emny Ordonez (CAC) 3B, collected 3 hits and drove in two runs, including the go ahead in the bottom of the 8th. Braden Winget (San Jac), OF, continued to swing the bat with 2 hits for the Gators.

Gateway (AZ) - 7
College of Southern Nevada - 2

 

 

Game three at Morse Stadim pitted the Gateway Geckos versus the host College of Southern Nevada Coyotes.  After losing a tough 2-1 affair to San Jac on Friday night, the Coyotes looked to rebound. The “scrappy” Geckos of Gateway had other plans.  They chased starter Johnny Cuevas (CSN) in the second inning to jump in front 2-0. The Coyotes would respond with 2 of their own in the bottom half of the inning, but with a run in the third and 5 in the 4th, the Geckos never looked back.  Aided by 10 Coyote walks, the Geckos would defeat the Coyotes 7-2. The Gateway lineup would be led by Antoine Mist (OF) with 2 hits and 2 walks.  The fleet footed Mist presented problems for the Coyotes on the bases all game.

College of Southern Nevada - 12
New Mexico JC - 4

 

 

In the final game, New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) would take on the Coyotes of Southern Nevada. A “sea saw” battle ensued through the sixth inning.  Coyote starter Nick Rupp, 5-foot-7 175, pitched 84-88, topping at 89. His fastball had a touch of straight fade and was enough to hold the damage to just the one run in the first inning until the sixth.  Rupp featured a curveball as well, 77-78. Chase Bauerle, RHP, relieved Rupp throwing the final 1.2 and providing CSN offense just the time it needed to erupt for 8 runs in the seventh to bring the game to a close due to the run rule.  Bauerle’s fastball ranged 86-87 and threw a curveball at 77-78. The Coyote offense was propelled by FR 3B, Dax Fellows (Silverado HS), who launched a 3 run homer to cap the bottom of the seventh. Fellow is an intriguing prospect and we will keep a close eye on him.

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