Baseball: Red Mtn's Hayes, Mesquite's Heller, toss no-hitters

April 19, 2018 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Gilbert's Ryan Meyer gets Desert Ridge's Tyler Gustafson on ground out in win over the Jaguars. (AzPreps365 photo)

Red Mountain pitcher Andrew Hayes inaugurated prep regular-season play at Sloan Park in Mesa by tossing a six-inning, no-hitter. Several hours later in Gilbert, Mesquite's Davis Heller returned to the mound for the first time since Feb. 27 and did the same -- a no-no vs.Campo Verde.

The no-hitters highlighted play Thursday in East Valley baseball as Red Mountain blanked Mesa High, 10-0, in six innings in a 6A contest and Mesquite shutout Campo Verde, 4-0, in a 5A game.

Hayes, a junior and Red Mountain's leading hitter, walked three and struck out eight and helped himself with an RBI triple. Luke Hyzdu knocked in three runs and every Red Mountain started collected at least one hit. Mesa began the day at No. 21 in the 6A power-rankings and is trying to hang on to a spot in next week's state tournament play-in games with one game left. Red Mountain sits at No. 4 in the power rankings.

Heller, also a junior, has missed most of the season with a broken hand. In his no-hitter he struck out 13 and walked two. He pitched to the minimum through six innings before yielding his second walk with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Willie Cano homered and drove in two runs for Mesquite, the No. 1 team in 5A's power rankings.Mesquite is #1 in the 5A power-rankings by far.

MOUNTAIN VIEW 11, DOBSON 0 (6 innings): The Toros clinched the 6A East Valley Region title and maintained their top spot in the power rankings beating the Mustangs at Sloan Park. Sean Rimmer allowed three hits in fiving innings for the win and Jared Thomas drove in three runs to lead the offense.

BASHA 11, HAMILTON 10: in a wild topsy-turvy game, the Bears scored five times in the last of the sixth and withstood a three-run homer in the top of the seventh to edge the Huskies at Basha. Seven home runs were hit in the game -- five by Hamilton and two by Basha. Basha's homers both came in the sixth The first was a grand slam by Jake Jarvis that put the Bears up 10-7. Justin Quinn homered one batter later to cap the rally,

Hamilton's home runs were hit by Hayden Baker, Michael Brueser, Britt Graham, Kyle Hasler and JD McLaughlin. Basha is trying to nudge its way in to the top eight of the 6A power-rankings and earn a bye from play-in games. Basha was No. 9 and Hamilton No. 6 in the power rankings Thursday. Basha and Chandler take their battle for the Premier Region title to Friday. They are tied for first in the region at 5-2. Basha is at Hamilton and Chandler hosts Brophy Prep.

CHANDLE R 9, BROPHY PREP 7: The Wolves bulit 4-1 and 8-3 leads and hung on late to edge the Broncos at Brophy. Luis Montenegro and Luke Bass knocked in two runs each and Montenegro earned the win with 4 2/3 innings of work on the mound. 

PINNACLE 16, HORIZON 6 (5 innings): The Pioneers cranked out 15 hits and blasted four home runs in knocking off the Huskies at Pinnacle. Luke Woods (grand slam), Griffin Hamel, CJ Shauwecker and Patrick Donovan homered for Pinnacle.

Pinnacle was No. 8 in the power rankings and hopes to maintain that spot and earn a bye to play-in games next week.

WESTWOOD 3, SKYLINE 1:  Manny Collier's RBI fielders' choice in the fifth and Macs Carrillo's two-run single in the sixth backed the ptiching of Jimmy Villa in a win over The Coyotes at HoHoKam Park. Villa fanned eight and allowed four hits taking a good pitcher's duel from Skyline's Eric Olson. Westwood entered play No. 23 in the power rankings and making a late run ro qualify for the play-in game to state next week. Westwood faces Skyline again Friday and finishes the regular season Monday against North. Skyline is No. 12 in the power rankings and safely in post season and play-in game next week.

GILBERT 6, DESERT RIDGE 5: The Tigers rallied for three runs in the sixth inning using six walks and a single to defeat the Jaguars at HoHoKam Park. Winning pitcher Ryan Meyer and Tyler Morris drew bases-loaded walks to put Gibert in front and Jose Bolivar added an RBI single to complete the rally. Caden Gustafson and Matt Shaw had three hits apiece for Desert Ridge.Gilbert kept its slim hopes alive for a berth in play-in games next week. The Tigers were No. 28 on Thursday. Desert Ridge rested at No. 16 prior to the game. 

MOUNTAIN POINTE 5, DESERT VISTA 2: Connor Murphy's two-run homer highlighted a four-run, sixth inning helping the Pride top the Thunder at Desert Vista. Murphy drove in three runs and Jacob McKeon the other two for Mountain Pointe.Desert Vista lost its third game in a row. The Thunder were No. 11 in the power rankings and Mountain Pointe No. 19 prior to play.

CORONA DEL SOL 10, HIGHLAND 2: The Aztecs protected their spot at No. 2 in the 6A power rankings getting two RBI each from Brian Kalmer, Luke Eno and Eric Weidner in downing the host Hawks. Kalmer and Weidner each hit a home run.

WILLIAMS FIELD 5, QUEEN CREEK 3: Nic Cupp's two-run single in the ninth inning was the difference as the Blackhawks kept their 5A playoff hopes alive edging the Bulldogs. Williams Field is No. 22 in the 5A power rankings and needs to be in the top 24 to qualify for play-in game play next week. Queen Creek is trying to hang on to its top 8 5A power-ranking -- currently No. 6. Teams in the top 8 are exempt from play-in games.

PERRY 2, ARCADIA 0: Ty Pohlman pitched a three-hitter and struck out 10 leading the Pumas past the Titans at Perry. Adam Parra homered for one of Perry's runs.