No. 1 Shadow Ridge routs No. 4 Sierra Vista — PHOTOS

Sierra Vista & #x 2019; s Ian Grafmank rounds first base before scoring an RBI throughout a Class 4A high school baseball game versus Sierra Vista at Sierra Vista High School on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Las Vegas. Sierra Vista & #x 2019; s Nate Aragones throws to Shadow Ridge throughout a Class 4A high school baseball game at Sierra Vista High School on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Las Vegas. Sierra Vista pitcher Brady Skinner throws to Shadow Ridge during a Class 4A high school baseball game at Sierra Vista High School on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Shadow Ridge coach Travis Juneman said he can constantly depend on beginning pitcher Brayden Somers.

With the playoffs beginning in two weeks and the Mustangs eyeing a second successive Class 4A state baseball title, Somers showed his coach.

The junior right-hander threw a complete-game shutout with 15 strikeouts as Shadow Ridge, ranked No. 1 in the Review-Journal's 4A baseball rankings, rolled to a 10-0 road win over No. 4 Sierra Vista on Wednesday.

" Brayden probably has the most composure I've ever seen, and he has a fantastic work principles," Juneman said. "I understand every day when I provide him the ball, he's prepared to go and he'll reveal out for a full 7 and provide us the very best chance to win."

Somers needed 90 pitches to go the distance and aid Shadow Ridge (22-5, 9-0 4A Desert League) to its sixth straight win. He assaulted the strike zone, throwing 66 strikes and getting first-pitch strikes on 17 of the 24 batters for Sierra Vista (11-15, 7-1 4A Mountain League). He enabled two hits and just three base runners.

" I was simply feeling great today and was all set to play," Somers said.

Somers had a lot of support. 7 Shadow Ridge players taped a hit, and 12 reached base. Junior shortstop Brock Morrow went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs, and senior second baseman Michael Brown went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

" We have 22 people on this lineup, and I know that each and every single person on this team is going to get a big at-bat or inning when we require it," Juneman said. "They trust us as coaches and we trust them as players, and it develops a terrific environment for these people."

Shadow Ridge left a runner on base in each of the very first 3 innings, but would not miss its opportunity in the 4th.

After Morrow led off the inning with a single, junior right fielder Grayson Tressler brought him home on a single. A set of Sierra Vista mistakes helped three more Shadow Ridge runs rating. Brown's two-run double topped off the inning as the Mustangs scored all four runs with 2 outs.

Shadow Ridge found similar two-out success in the 6th. With the bases loaded, senior center fielder Ty Silva's single added another run and started another rally. Morrow drove in 2 runs on a single, and junior 3rd baseman Christian Wilkes' single scored another.

After permitting a first-inning double, Somers retired the next 14 batters. He topped off a dominant outing with 7 straight strikeouts.

" We were all set to go," Somers said. "We got the runs, and I went out there and revealed out."

Shadow Ridge added two more runs in the seventh regardless of not having a hit in the inning. A walk and 2 hit batters loaded the bases, and 2 runs scored on a Sierra Vista throwing mistake.

Baseman Chase Frey and designated hitter Austin Angelo each had a hit for Sierra Vista.

Juneman said he was pleased with how the Mustangs put together a complete seven-inning performance. He said their recent dominant provings help offer him confidence that they can win another state title.

" This group right here, no doubt has what it requires to win another champion," Juneman stated. "It's just keeping these men focused and engaged on the job at hand as coaches. And I seem like we have a truly great shot at going in and showing our dominance."

Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on Twitter.