BASEBALL: Sophomore pitcher shows Diamondbacks’ depth in win over Liberty

Cade Adams could be at the top of any pitching rotation in Southern Nevada, but the 6-foot-2-inch sophomore doesn’t mind waiting his turn on the Desert Oasis baseball team behind seniors A.J. Landis and Nolan Kingham.

He wants to learn and get a state championship ring.

The Diamondbacks very well could be on their way if Adams continues to dominate as he did Saturday against the defending state champions.

Adams threw a six-hitter with three strikeouts to lead the sixth-ranked Diamondbacks to a 10-0 home win over No. 7 Liberty in six innings.

“He’s just a sophomore, so we’re pretty happy that he’s going to be around the next two years,” Desert Oasis coach Paul Buboltz said. “With Nolan and A.J. pitching all our league games, it’s nice to get some quality competition on the weekend and some off games, for him to get some experience going into next year.

“I see him kind of taking over that role next year for us. “

Adams improved to 4-1 for the Diamondbacks, who have one of the valley’s strongest pitching rotations.

“It’s definitely a good feeling (to be in this rotation),” Adams said. “Being behind those guys and just watching them throw is awesome.”

After walking two batters in the first inning, Adams found a groove with his fastball. He didn’t allow an extra-base hit.

Desert Oasis (21-7) gave Adams plenty of support in the second inning, scoring four runs on two hits and two critical errors.

Dominic Paratore led off the inning with a walk, advanced to third on a double by Chris Van Kuren and scored on a dropped fly ball in center field to give the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead.

With the bases loaded and one out, Chase Adams put down a squeeze bunt that ended up scoring three runs to give Desert Oasis a 4-0 lead.

Liberty (15-8) finished with five errors.

“We executed that squeeze play, and that got us going,” Buboltz said. “From there, they booted a few balls, and our guys just took advantage.”

Desert Oasis added a run in the third on an RBI single by Kyle Fuentes, who was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Van Kuren went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

In the fourth, Chase Adams drew a one-out walk, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on a dropped fly ball in center field for a 6-0 lead. The Diamondbacks then scored four runs in the sixth inning to end the game.

Liberty’s Justin Lutes and Jacob Klein each went 2-for-3.

Green Valley 11, Las Vegas 2 — At Green Valley, Blake Inouye went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs and two RBIs to help the Gators pull away from the Wildcats.

Drake Maningo was 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI, and A.J. Amelburu went 2-for-2 with a double, a run and an RBI for Green Valley, which scored four runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth.

Frankie Fitzgerald and Jarod Penniman each went 2-for-3 for the Gators.

Ryan Freimuth was 3-for-3 with a run, and Antonio Gaxiola, Parker Lowe and Jason Herrera each went 2-for-3 for Las Vegas.

Boulder City 4, Pahrump Valley 2 — At Pahrump, Nick Giunta and Zach Murphy combined on a two-hitter to lead the Eagles by the Trojans.

Seth Kermode was 3-for-3 with an RBI, and Peyton Koopman went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for Boulder City. Murphy and Austin Wishard each went 2-for-4 with a double for the Eagles.

Josh Mortensen was 2-for-3 and scored a run for Pahrump.