Hartman helps Arbor View coast past Crusaders

After missing the postseason for the first time in program history last year, Arbor View’s baseball team is determined to return to the Sunset Region playoffs.

Zack Hartman is certainly doing his part to help the Aggies get there.

The senior right-hander tossed a five-inning one-hitter with 11 strikeouts Friday as Arbor View rolled to a 10-0 Northwest League win over visiting Faith Lutheran.

“We want to get ahead as much as possible and get to the playoffs, and once we get there we’d like to go to state,” Hartman said.

Arbor View (12-6, 5-1) moved into a tie for first place in the Northwest with Centennial (12-8, 5-1), half a game ahead of Palo Verde (10-7, 4-1). The top four teams reach the playoffs.

The only hit allowed by Hartman was a bloop single by Dylan Hanson in the first inning. Hartman, a UNLV signee, walked none and hit one batter.

“(Hartman) came out locating his fastball and showed his changeup when he needed to,” Aggies coach Chris Martinez said. “He just came out and competed.”

Nick Urban’s three-run triple highlighted Arbor View’s four-run second inning. The Aggies scored four more in the fourth, keyed by a two-run double from Colton Hinrickson.

Urban, who led Arbor View in batting average (.521) and RBIs (18) through Tuesday, also hit a sacrifice fly that plated Jordan Godman in the first inning.

“Urban’s been raking. You’ve got to hand it to him,” Hartman said. “He’s had a great year, and I hope it continues for him. He’s hitting the ball really hard everywhere, all over the field.”

Faith Lutheran (8-5, 3-2) had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Zach Quintana (two doubles, two RBIs) and Tyler LeBaron (two runs) both went 2-for-3 for Arbor View.

“We’re utilizing everybody,” Hartman said. “Everybody’s listening to Coach Martinez and doing great.”

First-year coach Martinez said his players are hungry to return to the playoffs. They hope Hartman and senior right-hander Buddy Borden, another UNLV signee, can lead them back.

“Obviously our main goal is to get back in the playoffs,” Martinez said. “We have a lot of expectations to get back, and to have those two at the front of our staff, you feel confident in any game you give them the ball and let them go get it.”