Newly aggressive at plate, Desert Oasis swats Silverado

Desert Oasis' baseball team struggled to get timely hitting while losing its first four games.

Since then, the Diamondbacks can't seem to do anything wrong at the plate.

Desert Oasis scored seven runs in the third inning on its way to a 10-5 victory at Silverado on Saturday.

The Diamondbacks have pushed across 76 runs in their past six games to square their record at 5-5.

"We're being a little more aggressive at the plate now," said junior designated hitter Joe Paratore, who went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. "Before, we were just taking pitches, trying to get walks, but we're definitely trying to be more aggressive. Those first-pitch fastballs, we're getting a hold of them and just driving the ball."

The only loss for Desert Oasis in the past week was an 8-7 defeat at Bishop Gorman, which has won five straight Class 4A state titles.

"Last week we took a lot of pitches, a lot of fastballs for strikes," Diamondbacks coach Mike Besser said. "This week, we started attacking the baseball a little bit more and not sitting back."

Desert Oasis sent 11 batters to the plate in the third inning, keyed by Paratore's three-run double through the left side. Three batters later, Riley Smith singled home Paratore and Zane Killebrew for a 6-5 lead, and the Diamondbacks never lost momentum.

Sophomore right-hander Barry Lasseigne went the distance for the win after weathering a rough start. He allowed five runs on six hits in the first two innings, but only two hits in the next five.

"I'm very proud of (Lasseigne)," Paratore said. "He came in, settled down, got some ground balls, and we were getting the job done for him."

Smith was 3-for-4 with two RBIs for Desert Oasis. For Silverado, Wyatt Reid had an RBI triple and an RBI double, and Josh Bravin went 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Earlier Saturday, Silverado defeated Highland (Calif.) 6-2, with sophomore Hunter Welch pitching a three-hitter in his first varsity start.

"He threw a lot of strikes early in the count. We're pleased to see him show well in his first varsity game," Skyhawks coach Brian Whitaker said.

Dylan Cross went 3-for-3 with an RBI for Silverado, and Luc Balestracci was 2-for-3 with two runs.

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