Connie Mack: Brandon Smith fires no-hitter, Cats top Mustangs

Brandon Smith fired a no-hitter on Saturday to lead the Las Vegas Cats to a 3-0 win over the Las Vegas Mustangs in the Connie Mack state baseball tournament at Las Vegas High.

Smith struck out nine and hit two batters.

Leonel Anaya’s first-inning sacrifice fly was all Smith would need. Kevin Verduzco and Smith each had two hits for the Cats.

Southern Nevada Falcons 8, Southern Nevada Bengals 7 — At Bonanza, Thurman Martin’s eighth-inning triple scored Adrian Marquez with the winning run the Falcons topped the Bengals.

Martin finished with two triples and three RBIs. Zackary Matinez went 3-for-4 with two runs for the Falcons, who tied the game at 7-7 on a two-out base hit by Ethan Yatson in the sixth inning.

Tyler Kara threw three scoreless innings of relief to get the win.

FL Crusaders 8, Las Vegas Spartans 3 — At Las Vegas High, Michael Rice struck out eight in five strong innings to lead the Crusaders past the Spartans.

No. 9 hitter Vance Serrano had the big blow for the Crusaders with a bases-loaded triple. He also earned the save.

Summerlin Panthers 10, Nevada A’s 1 — At Bonanza, Matthew Minkoff threw a six-hitter with 10 strikeouts as the Panthers topped the A’s.

Minkoff walked four. He also led the offense, going 3-for-4 wit a double and two runs.

Kota Nakamura was 3-for-4 witha triple, three stolen bases and two RBIs for the Panthers. C.J. Kalekas was 2-for-4 with a triple, and Corey Stratton went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI for the Panthers.

Pool play continues on Monday at Bonanza and Las Vegas, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the double-elimination tournament, which begins on Wednesday at Faith Lutheran.