Game 1 Notes: West Valley (CA) vs Reno

RENO, NV – With the elements making their presence felt, just a smidge above 40 degrees at game time, the Reno Huskies opened up play of the Mike Bearman Memorial Tournament with a 14-0 win over the visiting West Valley Eagles (CA). Veteran right-hander, August Souza (2019), a Santa Clara commit, started the game for the Huskies, pitching 3 scoreless before giving way to Chris Shaffer, then Emmett Harvey. Shaffer and Harvey were equally impressive, making quick work of the Eagle hitters. Reno scored early and often with the Husky offense highlighted by Coleman Schmidt, 3-3 with a double, and John Kane, who tripled and homered.  The game was shortened to five innings due to the 10-run rule.

Scouting Notes:

A standout performer on opening day in Northern Nevada was Huskies’ RHP ’19 August Souza.  The 6-foot-1, 185 Souza pitched comfortably 85-88, touching 89 mph. He pitched out of a full windup with a quick, loose arm. His fastball displayed occasional late action even to his glove side. He threw a curveball, ranging 70-73 with mostly slurvy shape. Souza lent limited looks at a changeup 74-76. He displayed area control with his fastball that the opponents simply could not catch up to and truth be told, he did not need his secondary pitches much. He displayed athleticism fielding his position on swinging bunts. His footwork on picks was quick and throws accurate.

’20 Coleman Schmidt made an impression on opening day.  The uncommitted, 6-foot-1, 180 athletically built Schmidt, singled home the first run for the Huskies and did not stop there. He would later collect two more hits, including a double.  The versatile Schmidt started in left field but later moved to the infield to assume the third base duties.  He is a reliable defender at a number of positions but may profile best at the hot corner. A middle of the order type bat, it is easy to see power in his future.

’19 John Kane, RF, 5-foot-11 190, is an uncommitted corner outfielder with left-handed power potential. Kane tripled and homered in the opening day contest. He is a capable fielder with a true and accurate throwing arm. He runs well for his size and is better underway. Kane is a hard-nosed player, showing his willingness to “take one for the team” even in this lopsided affair. 

Game 2 Notes: Spanish Springs vs West Valley (CA)

RENO, HS – In the nightcap of a double header, the visiting, West Valley Eagles, would take on the Spanish Springs Cougars. The Cougars would don their visiting new dark grey uniforms, striking first for five runs in the top of the first inning.  The Eagles would answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, but to little avail.  Cougar starter Trevor French would settle in and not allow another run. French pitched with a fastball that ranged 79-83. He loosened up as his outing extended, finding his breaking ball that he was able to land for a strike with more consistency.  The Cougars benefited from a number of Eagle miscues, including a number of wind-blown pop ups that proved too much to handle. First baseman, Andrew Mayse crushed a ball to deep centerfield for a triple. Mayse would finish the day with two hits and two RBI. Both ’21 Jace Avina and ’19 Nate Miller would chip in with two hits as well.

Scouting Notes:

'19 Andrew Mayse, 6-foot-1 175, Sturdy bodied first baseman with present strength. Mayse is a reliable fielder that showed instincts for the position. He displayed a feel for footwork around the bag as well as the finesse for touch throws, feeding the pitcher on first base coverages. During pregame, Mayse showed enough arm strength to likely play all corner positions and ran well enough underway as well.  He sets strong with balance at the plate, showing the ability to drive the ball.