Lions eager for Sunset success

Sierra Vista's baseball team entered the season as a long shot to repeat as Southwest Division champions.

The Lions returned only four starters, had little pitching experience and were counting on three freshmen to start. To make things tougher, two-time defending state champion Bishop Gorman resides in the same league, and the Gaels have been ranked among the nation's top teams all season.

But none of those things derailed the Lions, the only Nevada team to beat Gorman this season while earning their fifth straight Southwest title.

"We always have the same goals; we're always trying to win our league," Sierra Vista coach Nathan Selby said. "We knew it was going to be a battle, especially with Gorman being who they were. But we come into every year trying to win it."

The Lions (22-9) host Cimarron-Memorial (19-13) in the first round of the Sunset Region tournament at 4 p.m. today. The event features two four-team, double-elimination brackets, with the bracket winners meeting in a single championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Centennial.

The winner advances to next week's Class 4A state tournament to be played in Reno and Carson City.

Sierra Vista's successful season took time to take shape. The Lions lost two of their first three games and were 2-3 on March 12 before things began to click.

"The beginning of the season was rough and then we all started to play with each other and started winning," said senior third baseman Andrew Garcia, who leads the team with a .434 average and 34 RBIs. "We just have to work hard and keep it up."

The Lions' starting freshmen -- shortstop Jake Hager, catcher Scotty Tomassetti and second baseman Dylan Krasn -- have come through as well.

"They've done well," Selby said. "They basically haven't beat us, which has been kind of the plan. They haven't been what's carried us, but they haven't killed us."

Garcia and senior center fielder Ryan Krasn (team-high 35 runs) have helped lead the way. Garcia also doubles as the closer, and has a 0.76 ERA and five saves while following in the footsteps of older brother Justin, who now pitches in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.

"He's played about as good as anybody expected, and probably better," Selby said. "He's grown up a bunch. He played in the shadow of his brother for a long time at our school. That was probably difficult for him. He emerged as his own man, and he's played very well."

Senior Kiel Harmon (9-1, 2.04 ERA) leads the pitching staff.

"We've come a long way," Harmon said. "We just all work hard. I think that's the bottom line."

The hard work isn't over. Though Sierra Vista beat Gorman, the Gaels loom on the other side of the bracket, and Selby knows Gorman is the team to beat in the Sunset.

"They're the ones who have won 33 games," he said.

In other first-round games today, Spring Valley (20-8) plays at Centennial (22-11) at 3:30 p.m.; Arbor View (22-8-1) hosts Durango (21-11) at 3:30 and Palo Verde (16-11) plays Gorman (33-2) at Hadland Park at 6.

The Sunrise Region tournament also begins today at host sites. Defending Sunrise champ and Southeast Division winner Green Valley (27-4) hosts Canyon Springs (10-20) at 3:30. The Gators and Northeast champ Las Vegas (28-6) appear to be the teams to beat.

In other first-round games, Basic (19-9) plays at Valley (14-11), Coronado (15-10) plays at Las Vegas and Rancho (16-15) plays at Silverado (21-10). All first-round Sunrise games are scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

The championship game is at 7 p.m. Friday at Eldorado.

Contact Prep Sports Editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.