baseball

Spring training has begun, reminding these two All-American boys how much we love baseball and especially baseball lore. Baseball, books and film make a cheesy concoction, never more so than in the 1984 movie The Natural based on the 1952 novel by Bernard Malamud.

Ready to ‘Give where you live’? Nevada’s Big Give online fundraising drive is today, so pick your favorite local non-profit and pledge $10 or more dollars to get them on their way. The WNC Foundation will be throwing a party at Alatte inside the Carson Nugget with drink specials and more if they’re the one you choose. Learn a little about our majestic mountain views at the Douglas County Historical Society’s Second Thursday lecture. Spice up your life with Bachata lessons at El Charro Avita, and dance the night away. Take a gander at the list for all of today’s options.
THURSDAY:

A wet weekend forecast in Northern Nevada will cause the Western Nevada College baseball team to move its upcoming four-game baseball series from Carson City to Salt Lake City. WNC will play doubleheaders against Salt Lake at 1 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday.

Even in his 11th season at the helm of the Western Nevada College baseball team, D.J. Whittemore can still witness his team do something he's not seen in the past.

In their Scenic West Athletic Conference opener Thursday at John L. Harvey Field in Carson City, the Wildcats erupted for nine first-inning runs, including eight runs with two outs, starting a doubleheader sweep of the College of Southern Idaho.

The spring thaw has begun, and the event listing for the next few days is proof. There are quite a few options for music, art, theater, and more. Downtown offers live music at Westside Pour House and Bella Fiore, comedy at the Carson Nugget, and an Art Show for Carson High Senior, Erica Murray, at the Brewery Arts Center. Living the Good Life and Glen Eagles have dinner music for you. An afternoon treat is best found at Yogurt Beach: all proceeds help the family of three year old Maya Morrison battling leukemia. Keep reading for all of today’s options.

FRIDAY:

The Reno Aces and the University of Nevada Wolf Pack baseball team will play their annual exhibition game on Tuesday, April 5 at 6:05 p.m. at Aces Ballpark, the organizations announced today.

“As is the case every year since I have managed the Aces, I am really excited about our exhibition game against the Wolf Pack,” said Aces third-year manager Phil Nevin. “It's great for our players to prep for the season and it means Opening Day is near.”

An unfavorable weather forecast for this weekend has prompted Western Nevada College to move up its Scenic West Athletic Conference-opening baseball series.

The Wildcats and College of Southern Idaho will begin their series on Thursday with a doubleheader starting at noon at John L. Harvey Field in Carson City.

RENO – The Reno Aces Baseball Club will hold their second annual “Ticketpalooza” event at Aces Ballpark, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, the official single-game ticket on-sale date.

Oregonian Jordan Ragan said he didn't have any extra motivation facing an Oregon team on Saturday. Ragan turned in his season-best performance to date by hurling four perfect innings in the Western Nevada College's 10-2 baseball victory over Mount Hood Community College of Gresham, Ore., at John L. Harvey Field in Carson City.

We walk the gentle uphill trail starting from the parking lot behind the baseball fields. This is a dirt trail, a bit rocky in a few places.This park is off Arrowhead Road, just north of the intersection of Hiway 50 and Arrowhead. As you turn into the John Winters Centennial Park entrance, the trailhead is beyond the Eagle Valley Golf Course club house and around the baseball fields on Heritage Way. Bring a hiking stick if you have one and water if the weather is warm.

Whoa, there. In the blink of an eye we’ve reached the last few days of February. Grab hold of the present with something fun to do from the comprehensive list below, whether you’re looking for something family friendly or for adults only. Have a great weekend, Carson City.

SATURDAY:

• Annual Community Rummage Sale at Sierra Lutheran High School: 3601 Romans Rd (7am-3pm)

Your complete list of local Friday happenings has arrived. Shake off the work week with a glass of wine and some music at Bella Fiore. If you’re in the mood for a whodunit, then the interactive murder mystery at the Douglas County Museum and Cultural Center is for you. Cheer on the Wildcats during their doubleheader against Mount Hood Community College. Edwin San Juan at Carson Comedy inside the Nugget Casino will have you in stitches.

FRIDAY:

When Carson City community members think of Carson High School, do positive thoughts of educational wonder, professional career and technical opportunities, and hilarious fun at the myriad events offered by the school come to mind?

It’s Presidents Day weekend with a Valentine’s Day cherry on top. There is still time for some shopping if you’re looking for something for your special someone. Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery hosts its annual Champagne and Jewelry party Saturday and offers some amazing hand-crafted bling for your sweetheart. Carson Mall is another great bet for last minute gifts. Several crafters, vendors, and shops make it easy to find something unique. The annual Feast of Chocolate returns to the Plaza Event Center; raising funds for scholarships has never tasted so good.

SATURDAY:

It wasn't the home opener that Western Nevada College envisioned Friday after winning four straight games against Cochise College last week.

Roderick Bynum went 4 for 5, scored three runs and drove in three more as Arizona Western College spoiled the Wildcats' first home baseball game, 9-5, at John L. Harvey Field in Carson City.

Western Nevada College sophomore pitcher Matt Young has been honored by the Scenic West Athletic Conference for his shutout performance against nationally ranked Cochise on Feb. 5 in Henderson.

For throwing six scoreless innings while striking out 10, Young was named the SWAC Player of the Week. He allowed just three hits and didn't walk a batter.

It's time to kick off this three-day weekend. Satiate your sweet tooth at the Boys and Girls Club; high school senior Larrissa Cruzan has organized a bake sale. Head downtown to check out the Grand Opening reception at Charlie B Gallery on West Telegraph. Stick around for the great band playing at Westside Pour House or have some dinner at one the nearby restaurants. Party Mardi Gras style at Remedy’s and wear something black light reactive.

FRIDAY:

Western Nevada College will welcome an experienced Arizona Western College baseball team for its home opener at John L. Harvey Field on Friday, Feb. 12.

"Arizona Western has a tremendous team and a solid program," said WNC coach D.J. Whittemore. "We are pumped to compete with them and understand we will have to play good-to-great baseball to come out on top."

Entering the 2016 baseball season, Western Nevada College knew the strength of its club was starting pitching. Opponents are discovering that on their own. Cochise College, the 13th-ranked team by the National Junior College Athletic Association, certainly won't dispute that claim.

It was only his second outing, but Western Nevada College sophomore Matt Young looked like a pitcher in midseason form Friday.

Young fired six scoreless innings and struck out 10 as Western Nevada College of Carson City defeated Cochise, 5-2, in the opening game of a nonconference baseball doubleheader in Henderson.

"It was textbook pitching today by Matt and (catcher) Tim," said WNC coach D.J. Whittemore. "The big difference for him was commanding the strike zone with the fastball. That puts him in counts where he can dictate."

Allowing just one hit through the first six innings, Western Nevada College could have expected to hold a lead against 13th-ranked Cochise on Thursday in Henderson.

Not so, as the Apaches used some aggressive baserunning to build a two-run advantage. But one swing of DJ Peters' bat swung the momentum in the Wildcats' favor in the seventh inning, driving WNC of Carson City to a 6-4 nonconference victory in the first of four games between the clubs.

Peters' laser shot over the left-field fence for a three-run homer completed the scoring, helping the Wildcats end a two-game losing streak.

A day after battering the South Mountain pitching staff for 18 hits and 15 runs, Western Nevada College struggled to put the ball in play on a chilly day in Phoenix.

Justin Wick no-hit the Wildcats into the fifth inning and WNC hitters fanned 11 times as the Cougars held on to win the nonconference baseball game 5-3 on Monday.

The Wildcats of Carson City employed a patient approach at the plate against Wick, drawing five walks through four innings. But without a hit, the Wildcats couldn't exploit the free passes.

Western Nevada College quickly put a season-opening baseball loss to South Mountain Community College behind it on Sunday.

A day after collecting just three hits, the Wildcats of Carson City totaled 18 hits, including three home runs, in a 15-5 rout of the Cougars in Phoenix.

DJ Peters, Justin Mannens and Daniel Nist each homered and combined for 10 hits and nine RBI as the Wildcats made amends for a 6-3 defeat to the Cougars on Saturday.

"It was an incredible offensive explosion," said WNC coach D.J. Whittemore.

Through the first four innings of the 2016 baseball season, Western Nevada College played the type of baseball associated with the program's 10 previous winning seasons.

But the Wildcats of Carson City couldn't hold a three-run lead against South Mountain Community College in their season opener Saturday in Phoenix. WNC pitchers struggled to throw mid-game strikes, leading to a 6-3 comeback victory by the Cougars.

Meet in the back of Centennial Park, across from the baseball fields on Heritage Way. This is a sandy trail with nice views to the south and east.

Conditioning Hike Program:

Reno Aces Pitching Coach Gil Heredia welcomes Arizona Diamondbacks Third-Base Coach Matt Williams and Diamondbacks Vice President/Special Assistant to the GM Bob Gebhard to the Rotary Club of Reno on Feb. 1.

This is the second annual “Reno Aces Hot Stove Luncheon." It begins at 11:30 a.m. at Harrah’s Reno. A buffet-style lunch will be served prior to Aces radio broadcaster Ryan Radtke leading a baseball panel discussion with Gil Heredia, former Carson High School baseball standout Matt Williams and Bob Gebhard.

WHEN: Monday, February 1 at 11:30 a.m.

They have come from as far as 5,341 miles away to play for the Western Nevada College baseball team in 2016.
WNC coach D.J. Whittemore's roster includes players from Wilrijk, Belgium; Kingsport, Tenn.; Seattle, Wash.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Park City, Utah; and Glendora, Calif.

This is not just for Western Nevada College baseball but all athletics at WNC:

As this season draws near for WNC baseball, I can’t help but think of the great people, Helaine Jesse Morres and Dr. Carol Lucey just to name a couple of the many major key players, that brought athletics to the college and the hard work they endured and accomplished.

We all have a favorite time of year and mine is Girl Scout Cookie Season. Pre-sales begin today, so track down your favorite scout and order some Thin Mints. Speaking of yummy treats, join the Experimental Aircraft Association for donuts this morning and learn more about our local chapter. Have a great weekend, Carson City. Check out the list below for all of your local options.

SATURDAY:

• Girl Scout Cookie pre-sales begin
• Seniors Swim Free at Paradise Salon and Spa: Executive Pointe off College Pkwy (7am-5pm, except during class times; 55 and older; indoor adult warm saltwater pools)
• Coffee and Donuts with Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8am-12pm, all welcome)

Mother and daughter Kathy Tatro and Adrienne Jordan Phenix, also known as Team Tatro, have joined the RE/MAX Realty Affiliates office in Carson City.