SPRING SLAM: Thunderbirds find ace, gain first win

But he may have found his ace on Friday.

Nino Alvarez gave up only two hits and struck out seven in three innings to help the Thunderbirds to a 16-1 victory over Lake Mead in the Mountain View Spring Slam.

The game was called with two outs in the top of the fourth inning due to a time limit.

“He had a really good outing today,” Molloy said. “Got out of some jams, didn’t give up many hits. I think it’s safe to say right now he’s our ace.”

Alvarez, a freshman, earned the win in his first high school appearance.

“I just hit where our catcher was putting the glove,” he said. “I worked inside, outside and my curveball was somewhat decent.”

The Thunderbirds’ offense scored in every inning to take the pressure off the young pitcher.

Indian Springs (1-2) began the game with three walks and a hit by pitch before Daniel Highfield’s two-run single made it 3-0.

Levi Maloy’s two-out, run-scoring single extended the lead to 4-0 for the Thunderbirds, who finished with 13 walks and had two players hit by pitches.

“We told them to be a little more patient and selective,” Molloy said. “Obviously we want their pitcher throwing more pitches. We don’t want one- and two-pitch at-bats. (Thursday) the kids were a little overanxious and were swinging freely. Today, they did a lot better job taking pitches and working the count.”

Indian Springs’ first two batters, Alvarez and Mason Hamlin, made it difficult on the Lake Mead’s pitchers all afternoon. Each finished with three walks and three runs. Alvarez also had a two-run single in the fourth inning.

Ryan Frank and Highfield had three RBIs apiece for Indian Springs.

Chris Rossetti scored the only run for Lake Mead (0-3) in the third inning. After beating the throw to first on a dropped third strike, Rossetti advanced to third base on consecutive balks, and then scored on a botched rundown.

Hunter Harris had a single, a walk and a stolen base to lead the Eagles.

Pahrump Valley JV 5, Indian Springs 4 — The Trojans used a five-run third inning to down the Thunderbirds.

Hamlin had a single and scored two runs for Indian Springs, and teammate Baylee McCormick added a double.

The Meadows 15, Pahrump Valley JV 4 — Alexander Agrawal went 4-for-4 with two doubles as the Mustangs used a seven-run third inning to top the Trojans in five innings.

Austin Neal was 3-for-4 with a double and two runs, and Tommy Halkyard had a double.

Jacob Gleason added a triple for The Meadows, which trailed 5-4 after two innings.

Bishop’s School (Calif.) 10, The Meadows 7 — The Knights fell behind 7-2 after two innings but rallied to defeat the Mustangs.

Gleason and Conor Cheek each scored twice and had two singles for The Meadows, which gave up seven runs in the fifth inning.

Nabeel Afzal added a double and walk for the Mustangs.

Bishop’s School (Calif.) 16, Lake Mead 1 — The Knights scored 11 runs in the first inning to cruise by the Eagles in three innings.

Joey Giordano, Brycen Maddox and Harris each singled for Lake Mead.

SOFTBALL

Mountain View 14, The Meadows 8 — Mia George went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs to help the Saints top the Mustangs in four innings.

Savannah Alley was 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI for Mountain View, which scored nine runs in the first inning.

Mountain View 13, Lake Mead 2 — Alley and Elle Germany each went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs as the Mustangs topped the Eagles in three innings.

Rose Adkins allowed only one hit for Mountain View.

Lincoln County JV 8, The Meadows 0 — The Mustangs had only one hit in a three-inning loss to the Lynx’s junior varsity.

Indian Springs 17, Lake Mead 9 —The Thunderbirds managed only one hit, but rolled past the Eagles in three innings.

Taylor Webb was 2-for-3 with a double for Lake Mead.

Lincoln County JV 10, Indian Springs 7 — The Lynx’s junior varsity scored three runs in the bottom of the third to top the Thunderbirds in four innings.