Today history repeated itself as the we lost both pre-tournament exhibition games for the second year in a row. Game one seen us drop a decision to Sierra Vista HS 9-6 and lose to Green Valley HS 8-6.
 
The Jets futility at Sierra Vista HS continued today. The loss ran the Academy’s record at Sierra Vista to 0-4. The game was played at Sierra Vista HS in 29 degree weather at a beautiful ballpark right on campus at Sierra Vista. The Jets performance wasn’t quite as beautiful. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead quickly in the first inning – due to sloppy Sierra Vista defense and a Mike Washburn double – the Jets offense went dead quiet all game until swatting together four runs in the top of the seventh but it proved to be too little, too late. Sierra Vista played a very good game offensively piecing together nine runs on ten hits and scoring in four of their six offensive innings. Taylor Simmonds went 4.1 innings giving up 5 runs on 6 hits and striking out 2. Jamin Heller relieved him and worked the remaining 1.2 innings allowing 4 runs on 4 hits. All in all, the effort this afternoon seemed passive and forced but we managed to bounce back to play a solid second game.
 
Game two was set in Henderson, Nevada at the home of the College of Southern Nevada Coyotes. We played Green Valley HS and dropped the contest 8-6 that went right down to the very last pitch. We hung on to a 6-4 lead going into the bottom of the 7th inning but a never say die Green Valley team pieced together four runs highlighted by a three run walk off home run to end the ball game. To get there though the ballgame took many paths, including exciting lead changes and big hits. We got down 3-0 after one inning and it looked as if the game would take on the same path as the earlier game. But starter Cole Stober settled in and gave our team a chance to hang in the game. He left after 4 innings and allowed 3 earned runs on 5 hits with 3 strikeouts. Green Valley tacked on another in the bottom half of the second but the Jets explosive offense erupted in the top of the third scoring five runs led by Shane Zimmer’s two run home run and a Jordan Wong triple. Wong would also score on a squeeze bunt by Josh Stephenson. The Jets held this lead until the final frame in which Green Valley would take over and hand us our third loss of the season. The two losses run our record to 9-3-2. Next games take place starting Wednesday morning with the Bishop Gorman Tournament opener at 8 AM.
 
Tomorrow is an off day for the Jets and one that is much needed with many aches, pains, and bruises that need to be rested. The team plans on visiting the Hoover Dam and potentially visiting a few outlet malls.
 
-AC