Harper gives Coyotes Series shot

All the hype that followed Bryce Harper to the College of Southern Nevada was something that concerned him. Two months ago, the 17-year-old baseball phenom said he could not possibly live up to it.

Expectations were out of his reach. Reality was a different story. Harper was saying the right things, but he might have been wrong.

"I've coached 21 years, and he's the best player I've ever seen by a long ways," Coyotes coach Tim Chambers said. "I knew he would be good, but no way did I think he would do this to our league.

"He just destroyed our league."

Harper's bat helped CSN (43-13) win the Scenic West Athletic Conference regular-season title.

On deck for the Coyotes is the Region 18 Baseball Tournament, today through Saturday at Morse Stadium in Henderson. It's the first step on what Chambers hopes is a climb to the NJCAA World Series at Grand Junction, Colo., on May 29.

Chambers, who guided the Coyotes to their only national championship in 2003, has a team capable of winning it all. Yet he's not overconfident.

"We've got a really good team, and we're at home, so that's the best part," Chambers said. "But anybody can beat you. We've got to finish."

The league's bottom four teams open play today. Top-seeded CSN plays at 1 p.m. Thursday, followed by No. 2 seed Western Nevada (40-15) at 4 p.m.

One reason for Chambers' concern: Western Nevada went 5-3 against CSN and swept a four-game series in Carson City in mid-April.

Chambers' optimism is rooted in his well-rested pitching staff. Sophomore right-hander Donn Roach (10-3, 2.81 ERA) will start the tournament for the Coyotes.

"I'm going to put a winner on the mound," said Chambers, who has plenty of options behind Roach.

Joe Robinson (Green Valley), Chasen Shreve (Bonanza) and Bryan Harper (Las Vegas), Bryce's older brother, are ready to pitch in.

Marvin Campbell (Las Vegas High), Trent Cook, Tomo Delp (Bonanza), Scott Dysinger (Bishop Gorman), Trevor Kirk (Silverado), Ryan Thomas and Gabe Weidenaar surround Bryce Harper in an explosive lineup that has produced 60 home runs.

Bryce Harper, a 6-foot-3-inch catcher who also plays third base and outfield, left Las Vegas High after his sophomore year amid speculation he could be the No. 1 pick in June's major league draft. By most accounts, he will be the first pick.

Swinging a wooden bat, Harper is hitting .417 with 23 home runs and 68 RBIs in 55 games. He also can run, and proof of that is in his 16 stolen bases in 20 attempts.

In 39 conference games, Harper hit .446 with 19 homers and 50 RBIs.

"If you like baseball, come see him," Chambers said. "You're going to see something special."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or at 702-387-2907.