CLASS 3A HONORS: Eagles’ LaMarca, Strachan sweep league, state awards

Boulder City baseball coach Bill Strachan didn’t even have to nominate Jack LaMarca for Most Valuable Player in the Class 3A Southern League.

Other coaches beat him to it.

“The other coaches right away said he was the best, and I agreed,” Strachan said.

LaMarca, a senior pitcher and outfielder, later was voted 3A state MVP. Strachan was named Coach of the Year both in league and in the state.

Boulder City (18-13) fell short in its bid for a state title, but the lengthy list of postseason honors is demonstrative of how much the team improved throughout the season.

The Eagles won 12 of their final 14 games to reach the 3A state playoffs for the first time since 2006, eventually losing 5-0 to Churchill County in the state finals.

“(Other) coaches said we didn’t even look like the same team in the second half of the season, and that was pretty cool,” Strachan said.

The cornerstone to the resurgence was LaMarca. The left-hander was 7-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings.

LaMarca also enjoyed a banner year at the plate, batting .540 with 12 home runs and 51 RBIs. He also led the Eagles in runs (54), slugging percentage (1.170) and stolen bases (11).

“He stepped up his hitting with power,” Strachan said. “He had always been a solid hitter, never chased a bad pitch. He kept doing that, and he could really get into a groove.”

Boulder City also placed senior shortstop Nick Morelli to the all-state first team.

Strachan said Morelli’s dedication to getting better after his junior year played a key role in the Eagles’ ascension. Morelli hit .398 with two homers and 23 RBIs this season.

“He made huge strides,” Strachan said. “It’s unbelievable how much better he’s gotten.”

Boulder City sophomore catcher Billy Barth, junior first baseman Nate Hafen and sophomore utility player Tanner Howell were each named to the all-state second team.

Virgin Valley had four second-team all-state honorees in senior shortstop Brandt Eaton, senior outfielder Daniel Gleave, and senior pitchers Cameron Jensen and Tanner Tichenor.