Laughlin sweeps Calvary Chapel

Without a postseason or even a league title to play for, the Laughlin baseball team easily could have entered the season in a dispirited mood.

Instead, the Cougars have surged to a 8-2 start, outscoring opponents 97-48 in that stretch.

Laughlin swept a doubleheader against Calvary Chapel on Monday at Paul Meyer Park, 14-5 and 20-10.

"We're playing for pride and everybody who's played in our program," Laughlin coach Tony Petrik said. "We still get the opportunity to play a wonderful game and for the love of it."

Laughlin was scheduled to rise to the Class 2A Southern League this season, but the school elected to contest league schedules only in cross country, wrestling and track.

The Cougars are officially independent until 2012, though Petrik hopes they can join a league as early as next season if the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association's potential realignment allows.

Laughlin junior center fielder Christian Kruse hit for the cycle in the nightcap. In the two games, he was 10-for-11 with three doubles, one triple, two home runs and 11 RBIs.

"He's spent a lot of time in the weight room since last year and put on about 20 pounds of solid muscle, and his hard work is paying off for him," Petrik said of Kruse.

Dennis Walters earned a complete-game win in the opener. The senior right-hander scattered six hits, walked three and struck out 11.

Walters was 5-for-10 and scored five runs on the day, and Zach Sesulka went 4-for-11 with a double, home run and five RBIs.

Steven Shigley belted two solo home runs in the first game for Calvary Chapel (0-3), which committed 23 errors in the two games.

The Lions have only 11 players on their roster. When coach Glen Evans left to become College of Southern Nevada's pitching coach before the school year, at least three Calvary Chapel players transferred to 4A schools.

In their first year in 2A, the Lions had just four players and no head coach less than three weeks before the season.

"It's a work in progress," Lions coach Kevin Jacobson said.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.