3A ALL-STATE: Virgin Valley dominates baseball selections
Virgin Valley’s baseball team had little recent tradition heading into the 2008 season. The Bulldogs had won only one Class 3A state championship since 1985, that in 1998.
Now the program might be building a dynasty for the first time since the 1980s, when it won four 1A state titles.
Having won consecutive state titles, Virgin Valley was rewarded with the two top honors on the Class 3A All-State team. Senior pitcher Travis Leavitt was voted Most Valuable Player, and Boyd Wittwer shared Coach of the Year with Spring Creek’s Scott Gilligan.
Wittwer said Leavitt (7-2, 1.95 ERA) benefitted from a terrific work ethic.
“Just dedication, a lot of hard work in the offseason,” Wittwer said of Leavitt. “His fastball, he throws about 86 (mph). When he locates, it’s tough to hit.”
Also making the first team for Virgin Valley were senior third baseman Anthony Morris, senior outfielder Terran Leavitt, senior outfielder Jonathan Gleave and junior pitcher Zach Horlacher.
The rest of the first team includes Truckee catcher Kevin Decker, Faith Lutheran first baseman Bobby Burns, Faith Lutheran second baseman Christian Lopez, Spring Creek shortstop Brett Pickett, Spring Creek outfielder Zach Smith, Lowry designated hitter Anders Pace, Faith Lutheran utility player Alex Barnes, Faith Lutheran pitcher Terry Unruh and Truckee pitcher Justin Vosburgh.
In Class 3A softball, Fernley swept the top awards with pitcher Jayme King voted MVP and Diane Chapin winning Coach of the Year.
Boulder City placed four players on the first team: junior catcher Paxton Fleming, junior third baseman Melissa Stewart, junior outfielder Britty Patt and freshman pitcher Karlee Koopman.
“Koop is a treasure, to get a freshman that big who throws that hard,” Boulder City coach Bruce Reid said of Koopman (14-3, 1.05 ERA). “The other three have been with me since they were freshmen. Those three, they make the team go.”
The first team also includes Spring Creek first baseman Lacy Rider, Spring Creek second baseman Sarah Greenlund, Fernley shortstop Chelsea Rivera, Fernley outfielder Nikole Whitney, Faith Lutheran outfielder Brittany Hampton, Fernley designated player Sevreana Johnson, Faith Lutheran utility player Kaitlyn Patterson and Spring Creek pitcher Jordan Garcia.
