Silverada Little League heads for state

Coming off a dominant performance at the District 3 tournament last week in Battle Mountain, Dayton-based Silverada Little League will try to continue its momentum into the state (11- and 12-year-olds) tournament which starts Saturday in Las Vegas.

The state tournament will be hosted by Lone Mountain Little League at at Children's Memorial Park. Four teams have qualified for the tournament, including defending champion Reno Continental (District I) and Green Valley from Henderson (District 2).

Silverada won all five of its district tournament games, four by shutout, capped off by a 2-0 triumph against Elko as Travis Wood outdueled Elko ace Eddie Zacramy in the championship game.

Wood pitched a complete game five-hitter to go with seven strikeouts in a game that was scoreless through five innings. Silverada scored twice in the top of the sixth to win, aided by hits from Erik Hopper, Joe DeLaski, Zach Clarke and Kenny Castro.

Silverada was a 5-0 victor in its opener against defending district champion Elko behind the pitching of Wood, who pitched a four-hitter and struck out 11.

Erik Hopper, Zach Clarke and Wood all hit home runs for Silverada in its 12-3 win over Lincoln County.

Clarke pitched a three-hitter and struck out eight over five innings and Wood pitched the final inning of a 2-0 victory against Ruby Mountain. Clarke never allowed a runner get past second base, aided by some sterling defense from Jason McKinnon and and Michael Vincent in the outfield, according to coach Gary Hopper.

Silverada wrapped up its berth in the championship game with a 12-0 triumph against Hawthorne. Joe DeLaski pitched the four-inning complete game, allowed three hits and struck out five. The infield combined to get seven putouts.

The Silverada team is looking for donations to help cover expenses for its trip to Las Vegas. For more information, call John Remington at 246-5229 or Gary Hopper at 246-3047.