Band of brothers power Pirates’ postseason run

It’s common for high school athletes to refer to teammates as family.

In Moapa Valley’s baseball program, it’s quite literal.

Sophomore twins Jared and Jake Repp have teamed with their older brother, junior Josh Repp, to help the Pirates reach the Class 3A state tournament.

“All three of them are very hard working,” Moapa Valley coach Justin Williams said. “All three of them overcome struggles. All three of them have been huge on the mound, and offensively and defensively. They’re silent leaders. It’s fun to have them around. They’re really good kids.”

All three are right-handed pitchers for Moapa Valley (10-19), which opens the double-elimination Class 3A state tournament against Truckee (26-5) at 1 p.m. Thursday at Damonte Ranch in Reno.

When not on the mound, Jared Repp is usually the catcher, Jake plays center field and Josh third base.

Williams is no stranger to the uniqueness of playing baseball with a brother. The Pirates’ third-year coach was a catcher at Otero College in La Junta, Colo., where his twin brother Jeff Williams was often his batterymate.

“There is a special thing when you played catch with him in the back yard all your life,” Justin Williams said. “It’s going to be a special thing when the battery is the Repps. They trust each other and what their habits are, and we can trust in them as coaches.”

Jared Repp scored from third base on an error with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Moapa Valley a 6-5 win over host Boulder City in the 3A Southern League final Saturday.

The rally clinched Moapa Valley its first state tournament bid since 2001, but the Pirates aren’t ready for the party to stop.

“Everybody feels excited, but we feel like we’re not done yet, too,” Williams said.

Williams is confident he has two No. 1 starters he can use in the state tournament in Josh Repp and senior right-hander Dylan Mortensen, who threw a complete game in the league title game.

“We actually saved (Josh Repp) to pitch in the 'if game’ if needed. He’s chomping at the bit,” Williams said.

Williams has a veteran lineup that includes left fielder Kasen Hughes, shortstop Shane Terril, first baseman Lane Stringham, right fielder Lawrence Villezcas and second baseman Camden Stratton.

The group helped the Pirates overcome a 4-19 start loaded with 4A powers before winning its last six games.

Moapa Valley is known primarily as a football school, so Williams said taking the team to its first baseball state tournament in more than a decade is sweet.

But winning the program’s first state title since 1977 would be even sweeter.

“Moapa Valley definitely has room for a baseball trophy,” Williams said.