CLASS 1A HONORS: Beatty’s breakthrough season yields awards

Beatty’s baseball program had been on the verge of a breakthrough for several seasons.

When it finally arrived, the Hornets were rewarded by Class 1A Central League coaches.

Four Beatty players were named to the all-league first team, along with four to the second team and Coach of the Year honors to the Hornets’ Brian Hayes.

Most Valuable Player was shared by Beatty senior shortstop Isaias Flores and Tonopah sophomore pitcher/shortstop Emitt Davis.

“It’s nice to see the kids get recognized,” Hayes said. “When you get pretty much your entire team on there, it just feels good for our program. That will be a big boost for our kids next year.”

Beatty (16-12) tied Tonopah (16-14) for the 1A Central League title at 5-1. The Hornets then reached the 1A state finals, where they lost 15-0 to Pahranagat Valley.

Despite the loss, reaching the state championship was a milestone for Beatty, which will lose its coach and four seniors.

Hayes said he has been transferred to teach physical education at an elementary school in Pahrump.

He expressed pride and gratitude toward his players for sticking it out to see the Hornets go from 9-17 in 2008 to contenders in 2011.

“It was great to see those kids do something no one’s done in Beatty for years,” he said. “I don’t think a lot of them really understand what they just did.”

Flores was the leader of the bunch. The four-year starter batted .398 with 27 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

“We rotated (Flores) between catcher and shortstop. He’d play wherever you need him to play,” Hayes said. “He can hit the heck out of the ball and even pitched for us. He helped build our program, and it was great to see him get recognized.”

Beatty also had pitcher Ivan Maldonado, second baseman Jose Moreno and outfielder Ricardo Pelayo named to the first team.

Davis shared MVP with Flores after a monster season in which the Muckers rebounded from an 0-9 start to reach the 1A Southern Region playoffs.

Davis hit .677 with eight home runs and 58 RBIs. He also was the Muckers’ ace, throwing a one-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts in a win over Round Mountain and a no-hitter with eight strikeouts in a victory over Spring Mountain.

The first team was rounded out by catcher Jason Carmen, first baseman Taylor McLauchlin, third baseman Kalei Elliott and outfielder Walter Musnicki of Tonopah; and outfielder Gatlin Houston and utility player Serjio Chavez of Round Mountain.