Eagles baseball team sees weaknesses in roster, while big win offers hope

With a roster containing a mix of junior varsity and budding varsity starters, Boulder City High School baseball coach Bobby Reese has used his Southern Nevada Connie Mack summer schedule as a measuring tool for next season.

It’s safe to say the program has endured mixed results.

After losses of 19-1 and 7-0 to Division I program Las Vegas Wildcats on June 23, it’s clear the program has work to do in order to be a threat again in Division I-A next season. A silver lining, however, is that the talent depth is evident.

Despite a 5-9 Connie Mack record, the Southern Nevada Eagles 16u team has looked like a team capable of rallying. This was on full display June 21 with an unexpected 6-2 win over league leader Desert Hills Thunder of Utah.

In the first game of a double-header, the Eagles handed Desert Hills only its second summer defeat behind the arm of junior D.J. Reese and bat of junior Patrick Hood.

“This was a really good win for our team,” coach Reese said.

“This win says we should have a better record for the summer. Knocking off a team of Desert Hills’ caliber, these kids realized they are good enough to compete with all these teams in the Connie Mack. (I) hope that confidence stays with them for the upcoming high school season.”

Reese threw a seven-inning complete game, allowing nine hits and one run, striking out five and throwing 112 pitches.

“D.J. pitched great against Desert Hills Tuesday,” coach Reese said. “His changeup was very effective and that was the difference. He still needs to pitch to contact more and not worry about them putting the ball in play, but it’s improving. That will be the key to his success next year, pitching to contact and having a good changeup. If he can do that, he will be in our rotation and I feel he will.”

Hood went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. He’ll be another key piece in the Eagles’ retooling process.

“Patrick will be a very good player for us this upcoming season,” Reese said. “He has had some setbacks due to injuries during his freshman year and again this summer. The key for his success will be to stay healthy. That’s one reason he has come on late, finally getting healthy and the reps he needs.”

Junior Teddy Lobkowicz also was 3-for-3, and senior Preston Van Diest was 2-for-3 with a double. Senior John Oliver and junior Nolan Herr each had one hits and one RBI.

In game two, Van Diest and D.J. Reese had the Eagles’ only two hits.

The Eagles end their summer slate at home today with games against another Division I power, Green Valley, at 6 and 8 p.m.

“With only two games left, I hope we play with the confidence we had against Desert Hills,” Reese said. “If we can do that against Green Valley, we should be able to end the summer on a high note and be right where I want our program to be heading into the new school year.”

Contact Robert Vendettoli at BCRsports@gmail.com.