4/9/2011 5:36:05 PM
Box score
LAS VEGAS, NV-- Bishop Gorman has reigned over Nevada high school baseball for the past five years, and entered today's matchup with undefeated Sierra Vista looking every bit the juggernaut they had the past few years. The Lions though, entered the game ranked #1 in the 4A coaches polls.
Each team boasts plenty of star power, with Sierra Vista SS/RHP
Jake Hager and Bishop Gorman 3B/RHP
Joey Gallo both considered high level prospects with several other prospects throughout each lineup. There was a large crowd on hand in spite of unseasonably cold temperatures in the low 50s.
Sierra Vista Submarine RHP
Blair Goldsack retired the Gaels 1-2-3 in the top of the first. Hager led off the bottom of the frame by smoking a liner up the middle that registered at 99 MPH off the bat to lead things off. Connor Klein followed with another single to bring up C Scotty Tomassetti with runners at the corners. Tomassetti got a hanging curveball over the outside corner and drove it out of the yard the opposite way to give the Lions an early 3-0 lead.
Tomassetti said of the home run "I was just trying to make good contact and get the runner in from third and get us a run." The three run shot proved to be the game winner as the Lions never relinquished the lead. Though things certainly did get tense in the 7th inning, as Gorman pushed across a pair and brought the go-ahead run to the plate. Sierra Vista coach Nate Selby summoned his star shortstop Jake Hager to relive Goldsack and get the final out. Hager allowed a single to LF AJ Van Meetren before getting a fly ball to end the game and nail down the save.
Goldsack earned the win by scattering seven hits over 6 2/3 innings and got out of several jams. Coach Selby said of Goldsack's outing "he kept us in the game like he always does, he had good command today. Those guys (Bishop Gorman) can really hit so to hold them down is an accomplishment you have to tip your hat to."
Tomassetti followed up his Home Run with another hit, Run and RBI. Tomassetti is in elite company, joining JSerra CF Clay Williamson, Cathedral Catholic LHP
Stephen Gonsalves and Edison LHP
Henry Owens as PG High School Road Trip Players of the Game with a 2-for-3 day with 2 Runs, 4 RBIs, a walk as well as the game winning Home Run. Tomassetti also was impressive behind the plate, showing good receiving and blocking skills and his big day at the plate came against a quality pitcher in righty
TJ White, a UNLV commit whose fastball was up to 91 MPH.
Hager and Gallo certainly didn't disappoint either, showing the impressive tools that have MLB organizations very interested. Hager went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored. Gallo went 1-for-3 with a double that registered 94 MPH off the bat to extend the game in the 7th after drawing a walk and scoring a Run. Sophomore OF Kenny Meinmerstorf went 2-for-4 with a triple, 2 Runs and an RBI, showing off very impressive hitting tools that project well.
The win moves Sierra Vista to 17-0 on the season, though the people least impressed by the run seem to be the ones wearing Sierra Vista uniforms. Coach Selby said "Gorman has won the last five championships so until someone takes their streak away from them they are still the top team." When asked if its fair to call the Lions the best team in the state Tomassetti said "no, the team that holds up the trophy at the end of the year is the best team in the state."
Footage of Gallo, the 12th ranked player in the class of 2012, driving the ball to right center for a double:
The PG High School Baseball Road Trip continues on Monday in Surprise, AZ as Boulder Creek takes on Willow Canyon at 3:00 Pacific.
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