Courtesy photo
Mineral County players break before its state tournament game against Indian Springs. The Serpents fell 14-3 and had its season come to an end.
We bid farewell to the “Serpent Baseball Class of 2017” as they exit the team on one heck of a successful season. The Serpents will say goodbye to five seniors this season, Brandon West and Taylen Wachsmuth, both four-year letterman and Andre Davis, Chance Sterns, and Eddie Dunnett, each three-year letterman. Much can be said about the outstanding season these five seniors had during their final year. Many thought it was impossible to fill the shoes of the 2016 seniors, but the team of 2017 had other plans, shattering nearly every statistical team record in the book and scoring over 100 more runs than the previous year’s team.
Those outstanding numbers, however, were not enough to win them a state title. But, enough to win them a conference championship, numerous all-conference awards, second seed in the regional tournament and a trip to the semifinals in state.
The Serpents faced tough southern competition during the state tourney, while shaky defense once again led to the Serpents’ demise.
Pahranagat Valley 10, Mineral county 4 (game 1)
Wachsmuth and West tag-teamed Alamo’s lineup, giving up only five earned runs on seven hits in what ended up as a lop-sided score between two evenly matched teams. The Serpents scattered six hits but couldn’t put any together when they needed them. Wachsmuth and West had two hits each, while Sterns and Dunnett had one.
Indian Springs 14, Mineral County 3 (game 2)
The Serpents out-hit Indian Springs in game two, nine to seven. However, poor defense and the inability to run hits together left runners on base throughout the game for the Serpents, while the Thunderbirds managed to get runners across. Tony Dominguez had two hits and two stolen bases., and West had two hits and an RBI. Ethan Nelms blasted a double and an RBI in the last inning. Both Sterns and Dunnett managed to scatter a hit apiece again, while David Ditmer went 2 for 2.
The Serpents were awarded a win by forfeit to Virginia City as well.
To round out the season, the Serpents walk away with a 23-11-1 record. Statistically they carried a team batting average of .378, scored 361 runs, scattered 313 hits, had 272 RBIs, walked 197 times, stole 207 bases (highest in Nevada history), carried a team on base percentage of .522, and struck out 248 opposing batters.
Nine players received all-conference recognition; Honorable Mention – Eddie Dunnett and Bodie Oberhansli, 2nd Team – Ethan Nelms, Treven Wachsmuth and Chance Sterns, and 1st Team – Andre Davis, Brandon West & Tony Dominguez. While the most notably recognized player was Taylen Wachsmuth, who had one of the most successful seasons any baseball player has at MCHS. He carried a .576 batting average, scored 46 runs, with 53 hits, and drove in 63 RBIs. To top it off, he led the team in times hit by pitch. From the mound, he had 9 wins and struck out 83 batters. He was awarded both all conference Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year, something never awarded before to a single player. Great season fellas! “SERPENT BASEBALL!”
