1A HONORS: Davis, Skeirik share Central MVP award

Emitt Davis was the catalyst behind Round Mountain’s baseball team securing an elusive Class 1A state tournament bid.

Joseph Skeirik put up some alarming numbers for Spring Mountain.

Both pitchers were recently honored when coaches voted them co-Most Valuable Players in the Class 1A Central League.

Davis, a junior right-hander and shortstop, helped the Knights (13-10) to the league title and their first playoff appearance since 2004. The Tonopah transfer will lead Round Mountain into the state playoffs against Virginia City (16-10-1) at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at UNR.

“Emitt understands how to pitch,” Knights coach Jake Topholm said. “He locates the ball real well, he hits the corners. He’s the type of kid who, if you need to put somebody up there to get an out, he’s a go-to kid. He gives you everything he has every game.”

Davis and fellow junior right-hander Serjio Chavez each went 2-0 in Central League games. Chavez was a first-team all-league pick.

“Hopefully we’re ready,” Topholm said of the state tournament. “Virginia City is tough, but with Emitt on the mound, we’re as tough as anybody.”

Skeirik, a junior right-hander, went 2-3 with a 2.04 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 48 innings for Spring Mountain (8-8).

On the final day of the regular season May 4, Skeirik struck out what is believed to be a state-record 21 batters while firing a two-hitter in a 6-3 win over Round Mountain.

Also a catcher and infielder, Skeirik batted .472 with two home runs and 15 RBIs to help the long-struggling Eagles become competitive.

Topholm, who guided the Knights to wins in 10 of their last 13 games, was named the league’s Coach of the Year.