Sparks, NV (AP)---On a cold Sparks night, Mariners starter Austin May and Yankees starter Austin Beard went pitch-for-pitch in a great pitcher’s duel, in a game that finished in a 1-1 tie. 

For the second time this season, the Yankees and Mariners went extra innings; however, this time, there was not a winner or loser.  Austin Beard threw 6 1/3 innings, allowing 5 hits, no walks, while striking out 13, collecting a no-decision.  Relief pitcher Brendan Parisotto pitched the final 2/3 innings, keeping the winning run 60 feet away from home.

Yankees bats were silenced, which has been the biggest concern for the team, who boasts a magnificent pitching staff.  This was another classic battle between two great teams…and it was one that could have gone either way, as NEITHER team deserved to lose this one!

Yankees, next up…the first place Red Sox.  Be there, it will be another great game!!!

Sparks, NV (AP)---Yankees players stepped up in a big way on Friday night, missing two of their players, and still prevailing 7-2 over the Rangers.

“This win showed a lot of heart,” said coach Blaine Beard.  “Every kid on this team stepped up their game play and picked up for the players that were gone.”

Starting pitcher Brendan Parisotto pitched 1 2/3 innings, before yielding to Cameron Espinosa, who kept the Rangers’ bats in check until Austin Beard took over and pitched the last two innings to pick up the victory.  This was yet another great pitching performance for the Yankees’ staff, limiting base runners and more importantly, throwing strikes.

The Yankees’ game plan worked out perfectly with fire-baller Patrick Burrows on the mound for the Rangers.  Yankees hitters were patient and drew long counts, forcing Burrows out of the game after three innings (pitch count).  The game started out with Nugget drawing a walk and eventually scoring to give the Yankees a one to nothing lead.  The Rangers tied the game the next inning; the score remained locked at 1-1 until the top of the fifth, when the Rangers blooped a two out base hit to take the lead 2-1.  The Yankees had left eight runners on base until this point.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Yankees answered right back and got the big hits when it counted.  Grayson Young led off the inning with a single, followed by an infield single by Owen Bartlett.  Brendan Cancino successfully turned a sacrifice bunt into an infield single, and then Jon Pinto and Riley Coyne had great at-bats in drawing walks to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead.  Nugget then rifled the eight pitch of his at-bat into center field for an RBI single.  After a line-drive double play was turned on a hard hit ball from Brendan Parisotto, Austin Beard smacked a base hit to score a run.  Cameron Espinosa then skied a ball to center field that was misplayed by the center fielder, resulting in a two RBI hit for Cam.

Great job guys!!!!  Keep up the hard work…it pays off.

Good game Rangers…they have a tough team.  Next up, another tough team…the Mariners.

Sparks, NV (AP)---The Yankees continued their hot start by defeating the Aces 11-1 in front of a capacity crowd at Golden Eagle, Tuesday night.

Starting pitcher Web Charles threw 3 2/3 innings of shut-out ball, before yeilding to Grayson Young, who pitched the last 1 1/3 innings in the five-inning contest.  Once again, the Yankees proved tough in the pitching and defensive department, allowing only one run to the Aces.  Yankees' pitchers have allowed only six runs in 32 innings of work this season, which is impressive considering the high-quality of Centennial baseball.  The Yankees' bats did a lot of talking last night, posting eleven runs, which is a good sign after slowing the previous three games.

The hitting got started in the third inning, as Web Charles knocked in two runs on a bases-loaded single.  Cameron Beard contributed with a 2-3 performance, with a double, a walk, and three RBI.  Every Yankee player reached base, either by walk, error, or basehit.  Brendan Parisotto stayed on base and used his speed to swipe a few bases and lay down a beautiful bunt for a basehit.  Austin Beard had a 2 RBI bases-loaded single that helped put the game out of reach.  Jason Johnson and Zach Hix each scored and were aggressive on the bases, showing the depth of the Yankees squad.

The Yankees hope to continue their winning ways on Friday against the Rangers.  However, It won't be easy, as the Rangers have a great nucleus of players and a quality coaching staff that plans on giving our team all it can handle.  It will be even tougher the next two games for the Yankees, as stand-out pitcher / catcher Web Charles will be out of state and will miss the games.  Each Yankee player needs to step up and pick up the slack, as the next few opponents are very talented teams that are hungry for "W's."

Yankees…I will see YOU at the ballpark!

Sparks, NV (AP) ---The “cardiac kids” were at it again this last Thursday; for the second game in a row, playing an eight-inning game.  This time, the Yankees were on the winning side of the scoreboard, defeating the feisty A’s 2-1.

Again, pitching and defense were the Yankees’ strength.  Starter Web Charles pitched 5 2/3 innings of one run baseball; while relief pitcher Brendan Parisotto came in and pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball to help collect the win.  Thus far, in four games (27 innings of baseball) Yankees’ pitchers have only given up 5 runs (two of those have been unearned).

“Our pitching and defense have been great,” said Head Coach Blaine Beard.  “Our bats have got to come alive…we can’t expect our pitchers to continue to carry our team.  Once we start hitting, we’ll be a tough team to beat…we need to be more aggressive at the plate.”

The hitting woes featured the Yankees’ stranding several runners on third base, including the failure to get a runner home that opened an inning with a triple.  Basic fundamental hitting should have plated the base runner.

The game reached its exciting conclusion when Yankees’ left fielder Riley Coyne reached first on a well-struck ball that was misplayed by the A’s second baseman.  Coyne was lifted for pinch-runner Jason Johnson, who scampered to second on a wild pitch shortly thereafter.  That set the table for Brendan Parisotto, who hit a hard ground ball to second, which went right through the legs of the A’s second baseman, rolling into shallow right field.  Johnson plated the winning run and was met with a celebration of Yankee teammates.

The Yankees play their next game on Tuesday, April 21 against the young and hungry Aces…who will have their sights set on an upset.  The Yankees will have a few practices between now and that time, in order to get those bats going!!!

Sparks, NV (AP)---The Yankees dropped a tough, hard fought eight inning game to the Mariners 4-2 on Monday night, in front of a loud and enthusiastic crowd at Golden Eagle.

The Yankees fought back after going down 2-0 after three innings.  Starting pitcher Cameron Espinosa fought through three innings of 2-run ball before Austin Beard came in from the bullpen and silenced the Mariners’ bats with several strikeouts.

The Yankees offense had several opportunities to win the game; however, they lacked the big hit to propel them to victory.  A lot is to be learned from a game like this, as several fundamental base running errors and a few fielding errors did the Yankees in.  Only one run was earned, which shows the importance of good, solid defense to back our pitching.

A great deal is learned from a win; however, more is learned from a loss such as this.  Our team showed heart and determination throughout the eight-inning match up and never held their heads down.  But, we must always finish and maintain composure.

It is a long season and this is only one game.

Compliment the Mariners for winning the game…it was a classic.

Reno, NV (AP)---On a cool Saturday afternoon, the Yankees took on a very tough Red Sox team, in a rematch of last year’s Sparks City Championship game.

The Yankees prevailed 2-0 in a great pitcher’s duel between starters Web Charles and Thomas (Red Sox).  Charles showed great poise and discipline in throwing the one-hitter, walking only one and striking out several Red Sox hitters.

The Yankees showed timely hitting in knocking in two runs on a clutch hit double by Cameron Espinosa and a single by Charles.  The Yankees left several on base and lacked the big hit that could have given them breathing room and put the game away.  However, the pitching and defense bailed the offense out.  Charles ended the game by getting Red Sox star Joey Dice to ground out to second baseman Cameron Beard.

Monday, the Yankees take on an up-and-coming Mariners team, who has their sights set on revenge from last year’s season sweep.  It is going to be a good one, as the Mariners have plenty of pitching and hitting!

Be there!!!  And, bring your sticks!