Green Valley beats Centennial for 5A Desert League title — PHOTOS

Green Valley celebrates after winning a high school baseball game against Centennial at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley congratulates their colleagues after scoring two RBIs throughout a high school baseball video game versus Centennial at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley & #x 2019; s Caden Kirby, center, leaps to throw to first base after outing Centennial & #x 2019; s Brady Oliver during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley pitcher Brady Ballinger throws to Centennial during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley & #x 2019; s Caden Kirby bats for a homer versus Centennial during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley shortstop Jacob Ferry bats versus Centennial throughout a high school baseball game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley & #x 2019; s Brady Ballinger (7) reaches to tag Green Valley & #x 2019; s Tyler Jackson out during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial catcher Jaiden Russin attempts to out Green Valley & #x 2019; s Terrance Shaw Jr, who scored, during a high school baseball game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley & #x 2019; s Caden Kirby celebrates with his group after scoring a homerun versus Centennial throughout a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial outfielder Brady Oliver jumps to capture for an out on Green Valley during a high school baseball game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial & #x 2019; s Albert Cohen bats against Green Valley during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial & #x 2019; s Brady Oliver bats versus Green Valley during a high school baseball game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley shortstop Jacob Ferry and pitcher Brady Ballinger after Ferry captured a ball to end the inning during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley & #x 2019; s Chaz McNelis bats against Centennial throughout a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial initially baseman Carson Lee captures for an out on Green Valley during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial infielder Ethan Santos prepares to toss to very first base during a high school baseball video game versus Green Valley at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley & #x 2019; s Terrance Shaw Jr celebrates after scoring throughout a high school baseball video game against Centennial at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial & #x 2019; s Noa Oyadomari (5) rounds 2nd base while Green Valley & #x 2019; s Jacob Ferry (3) wants to catch throughout a high school baseball game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial & #x 2019; s Carson Lee bats versus Green Valley throughout a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial & #x 2019; s Justin Kryszczuk bats against Green Valley during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial & #x 2019; s Logan Smith throws to Green Valley during a high school baseball game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley & #x 2019; s Brady Ballinger pitches to Centennial during a high school baseball game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley & #x 2019; s Brady Ballinger dives to catch a Centennial hit throughout a high school baseball game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttGreen Valley & #x 2019; s Braylon Kolish throws to Centennial throughout a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial & #x 2019; s Noa Oyadomari reaches to tag Green Valley & #x 2019; s Brady Ballinger out after he tried to steal 2nd base during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttCentennial pitcher Kane Barber tosses to Green Valley during a high school baseball video game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidtttduring a high school baseball game at Green Valley High School on Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Henderson. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Centennial's baseball group manufactured a run in the top of the very first Thursday, intentionally getting selected off to develop a rundown that enabled the Bulldogs to take the lead.

Green Valley used a little various method to retake control.

The Gators blasted a pair of home runs, consisting of a three-run shot by Caden Kirby in the second, en route to a 7-3 house victory to conclude the Class 5A Desert League title.

" Kirby's been fantastic for us all year," Green Valley coach Manny Llamas stated. "He's just a sophomore. Something I enjoy about Kirby, I don't care if he's got an 0-for-4 or a 4-for-4 game, he's always delighted. He's always smiling. He's always ready to go."

The bottom of the order got things began with two outs in the second for the Gators (25-6, 9-2), No. 2 in the Review-Journal's 5A rankings. Eduardo Tarango and Jacob Ferry had back-to-back singles to put runners at the corners, and Tarango got back on a wild pitch to connect the game against No. 5 Centennial (22-9, 8-4).

Brandon Jenkins then walked to bring up leadoff male Kirby, who transferred a 3-1 pitch over the left-field fence for a 4-1 lead.

" He's got 2 more years for us, and we're delighted he's got two more years, since he's going to be a great one," Llamas said of Kirby.

Senior Chaz McNelis extended the lead on the 2nd pitch of the bottom of the 3rd, crushing a long crowning achievement to best field for a 5-1 advantage.

" I knew off-speed was coming every pitch, so I understood to kick back and drive," McNelis stated. "And I just caught barrel."

McNelis likewise scorched a liner to best field in the first inning, ending up 2-for-4.

" Chaz has that raw power that everyone talks about," Llamas stated. "He's striking close to.500. Anytime he's up there you understand he's going to do damage. We see it practically consistently.

" It flies off his bat. It's cool to see."

The Gators finished 12-14 last season and missed out on the playoffs, but will get in next week's Class 5A Southern Region tournament as the Desert League's No. 1 seed.

" This is incredible, due to the fact that the last couple of years we've been struggling," McNelis stated. "We've been not too hot. This year we came out hot, we stayed hot, and now we completed the task so far."

Tarango went 3-for-3, and winning pitcher Brady Ballinger was 2-for-4 for the Gators.

" We know who we are," Llamas said. "We understand if we stick to our plan and our approach, it doesn't matter who's up there. Our guys are going to compete every pitch, which's what they're all about."

Carson Lee was 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI, and Noa Oyadomari went 2-for-4 with a double and 2 go to lead Centennial. Brady Oliver added 2 hits for the Bulldogs.