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McGee’s third-inning RBI single helps spark Nevada against New York

By Chris Masse 5 min read

A closer look at 9-1 Henderson, Nevada win over Staten Island, New York, Thursday at Lamade Stadium Stadium.

PLAY OF THE GAME -- Russell McGee's third-inning RBI single: New York nearly made it three straight innings of squashing Nevada threats, but McGee would not let the Metro champions get off the hook this time. He drilled a two-out RBI single which scored Liam Sparks with the game's first run. It also highlighted a crucial three-run rally as Nevada scored at least one run in each of its final three at-bats.

NEVADA PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Wyatt Erickson: After throwing a no-hitter in the Mountain Region final, Erickson came out firing at the Series, hurling a five-hitter and allowing no earned runs. The right-hander kept New York off balance all afternoon, striking out eight. It was another pitching clinic by Erickson who worked ahead, spotted his pitches and maintained his composure whenever New York looked like it might get something going. He also excelled at the plate, going 1 for 2 with a double, three RBIs and a run.

NEW YORK PLAYER OF THE GAME -- Stephen Grippo: The left-hander went 1 for 2 at the plate and also continued his quality pitching. After throwing a shutout against New Jersey in the Metro final, Grippo struck out six in three innings. He has 13 strikeouts in his last two starts.

BIG INNING--Nevada third: The Mountain champions had threatened in the first two innings and came up big in the third, scoring three two-out runs while grabbing a 3-0 lead. After Liam Sparks reached on an error, Caleb Gomez kept the inning going, drawing a two-out walk. Russell McGee then ripped a clutch single for the game's first run. Erickson then helped his pitching cause, smashing a two-run double to deep left field. Nevada excelled in two-out situations all afternoon, scoring eight two-out runs. That included five in the fifth inning when Erickson hit a sacrifice fly and Noah Letalu, Parker Soranaka and Dominic Laino all hit run-scoring singles, Laino producing two on Nevada's 11th hit.

BEST EFFORT--Nevada's two-out production: In addition to its outstanding hitting in two-out situations, Nevada also produced excellent approaches and at-bats at those times. One of the game's unsung but crucial moments came in that breakthrough third inning when Gomez drew a two-out walk on a 3-2 count. Before that Gunner Beranek fouled off two, two-strike pitches. He did not reach base but kept the pitch count rising. Time after time, Nevada laid off pitches out of the zone, forcing New York pitchers to come at them. That allowed the Mountain champions to get the pitches they wanted and that played a significant role in how they game played out.

FLASHING LEATHER--New York pitcher Stephen Grippo immediately helped his cause in the bottom of the first when he produced the first out. Caleb Gomez hit a hard grounder up the middle, but Grippo reacted right away, made the stop and the throw to first for a key out. Nevada shortstop Russell McGee turned what first looked like it might be a hit into a pretty double play to close the top of the second. McGee raced into the hole between shortstop and third and went to a knee to stop a hard Dean Scarangello grounder. He then made a snap throw to second baseman Gunner Beranek who made a quick turn before throwing a perfect strike to first baseman Noah Letalu, completing the double play. It took New York just one play in the bottom of the inning to return the favor with its own gem. Catcher Peter Giaccio sprinted to his left and near the wall behind home, making a terrific running catch of a foul ball while producing the first out. Nevada left fielder Luke Lentz made one of the game's biggest plays in the fifth inning, helping the Mountain champions stifle a rally while preserving a 3-1 lead. Two were on base with one out when Dean Scarangello singled to left field. Lentz unleashed a fantastic throw toward catcher Parker Soranaka. The no-hop throw was perfect and Soranaka made the tag before Erickson ended the threat a batter later by inducing a pop out.

WHAT THE ADULTS SAY--"Our backs are against the wall," New York manager Bob Laterza said. "We have to win or we go home and fantasy land is done."

"They're all comfortable; they're all confident," Nevada manager Adam Johnson said. "No one is looking to do too much at the plate which is a big advantage for us."

WHAT THE KIDS SAY--"I took a big deep breath. Just block out the noise, block out the crowd and I told myself in my head, I'm going to come through and score two runs," McGee said of his game-changing RBI hit. "It felt great because I knocked in two runs on one of the biggest stages you can play in.

WHAT IT MEANS: Nevada won its fifth straight game since regionals and advances in the winner's bracket final to play the winner of Friday's Illinois-Hawaii game. That game will be Monday in the winner's bracket semifinals. New York will play South Dakota Saturday afternoon in an elimination game as it tries keeping its fantastic summer run going.

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