The top spot in the Division III North was up for grabs last week as the Battle Mountain High School baseball team traveled to Lovelock to face rival Pershing County.
Both teams entered the contest at 11-1 in league play and the two teams did not disappoint when they got on the field. Battle Mountain took advantage of a Pershing County error in the second inning to score two runs on its way to a 3-2 win and sole possession of first place.
The Longhorns (12-1 Division III North, 18-4 overall) added a what was a much-needed insurance run in the top of the sixth inning to lead 3-0. Battle Mountain’s Worth Nelson was dominant on the mound in picking up the win. The senior allowed just four hits and two runs (one earned) in the complete-game effort. He struck out 13 and allowed no walks.
Pershing County scored its two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning after a Battle Mountain error. Angel Ramirez used a base hit to account for both runs.
Ramirez also threw a complete game in the loss, with 13 strikeouts, no walks, a hit batter, and only one earned run.
The two teams were to play a doubleheader on Saturday, but the games were postponed due to rain. The contests were made up Monday in Battle Mountain.
The Longhorns finish off the regular season this weekend in Incline, starting Friday at 4 p.m. A doubleheader follows on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Battle Mountain, Pershing County, Yerington and Incline have clinched the four playoff spots for the regional tournament to be held in Lovelock on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9.
