Pershing County launches spring sports season by hosting baseball and softball tournament

Pershing County’s Kyra Cerini slides into third base against the Dust Devils.

Pershing County’s Kyra Cerini slides into third base against the Dust Devils.

The spring weather lasted just long enough for Lovelock to host its three-day softball and baseball tournament last weekend.

Visitors included the Elko and Lowry JV teams, Battle Mountain, Oasis Academy, Dayton, White Pine, Yerington, Quincy, and Sparks.

The Pershing County High School baseball team went 2-2 over the weekend, beating Sparks 9-7 and the Lowry JV 13-10.

The Mustangs lost 10-4 to Dayton and 19-3 to Yerington.

Coach Jared Jensen remarked on the strong batting from Trenton Rhodes, Wyatt Hughes, Michael Reitz and Ayden Montes.

Pershing County catcher Jake Henderson chats with the home plate umpire in between half innings during the tournament this past weekend..

“Tyler Miller finished Lowry JV off in 91 pitches,” he added. “We have to master the little details and improve all season. We are excited to see what these young men can do.”

Meanwhile, the Pershing County softball team went 0-4 with losses to Dayton (18-3), White Pine (18-2), Oasis Academy (22-7) and Quincy, Calif., (10-3).

“Despite a tough start to the season, we saw a lot of positives and plenty of potential to build on. The team displayed strong chemistry, resilience and determination, which will make for an exciting season,” said coach Jordan McKinney.

The coach remarked on sophomore Jerzie Jones’s performance against Quincy on day two of the tournament, saying she stepped up when needed. Riley Harvey, a junior, also stood out.

“I was especially proud of Riley for pitching after not doing so since her freshman year — she did an outstanding job.”

Pershing County’s Jerzie Jones pitches against Dayton at the Lovelock softball tournament.

The coach also expects junior Lauren Poffenroth to give the team a boost.

“We have some hardworking players who are either new to the game or returning after a few years away. With the talent, effort and teamwork we have, I’m looking forward to seeing this team grow and succeed as the season progresses,” she concluded.

This Friday, coaches Ben Halverson, Chelsea Montes and the track team will load up at 6:45 a.m. to travel to Dayton for the Dust Devil Invitational and start their new season.

The baseball and softball teams hosted North Tahoe on Tuesday. 

Results were not available at press time. Due to weather conditions from the last storm, Pershing County will also host the last two games of the series on Saturday.

As the baseball and softball tournaments finished on Saturday, lights illuminated the fields for the first time in school history. 

It was a fitting tribute to the launch of a new Mustang sports season.