GV, Basic roll in Sunrise tournament

Spencer Patterson

Friday, May 5, 2000 | 11:41 a.m.

The Southeast Division has been home to some of the nation's most competitive baseball this season, with three of the league's four teams earning national rankings in 2000.

So it's not a big surprise that Saturday's Sunrise Region winner's bracket contests will have a Henderson-area flavor, with three of the four remaining unbeaten clubs hailing from the state's toughest division.

After Silverado advanced with a 12-run win on Wednesday, Green Valley and Basic followed the Skyhawks into the next round with lopsided victories Thursday at Burkholder Field. Those three join Las Vegas High in the main draw of the eight-team tournament.

The Gators (22-5) moved on with an easier-than-expected 13-2 win over Northeast runner-up Eldorado (13-13). Green Valley pounded out eight extra-base hits and got a complete-game win from senior Ben Scheinbaum.

Basic (24-4), ranked No. 16 by Baseball America, posted an 11-1 victory over Rancho (5-21) in six innings. Wolves pitcher Jared Prisbrey went the distance for the win, limiting the Rams to four hits.

The Henderson rivals will meet Saturday at 1 p.m. at Burkholder, with Las Vegas (21-10) and Silverado (19-7) matched in the day's 10 a.m. contest.

In Thursday's first game, the Gators won without coach Nick Garritano, who sat out after being ejected from his club's regular-season finale for arguing a call.

"He gave us a pretty motivational speech before we came out here," said senior catcher John Grose, who knocked in four runs with two doubles. "It's kind of a win for him because he came out and battled for us. That's why he's not here today."

Green Valley took control with a five-run third inning highlighted by a leadoff triple by Garrett Guzman and Grose's three-run double. The Gators put another five-spot on the scoreboard in the seventh inning.

"It's huge," said acting Gators head coach Corey Gehlken. "The first game of the playoffs is always the toughest."

The left-handed Scheinbaum, a UNLV signee, worked seven strong innings for Green Valley, scattering eight hits and striking out seven batters for the win.

The Gators had several offensive stars, among them David Krynzel (3-for-5), Zeke Parraz (2-for-4, solo home run), Nate Shue (2-for-3, two RBIs) and Billy Schmitt (2-for-5).

Chris Hansen finished 2-for-2 for the Sundevils, reaching base in all four plate appearances.

In the nightcap, Prisbrey struck out six batters and allowed just one extra-base hit in his team's victory over Rancho.

"There were only a couple of balls they hit hard," Basic coach Mike Kazek said. "He came out and did the job."

Leland Montoya led the charge for Basic -- the No. 1 team in the Sun's final statewide poll -- going 2-for-2 with two triples and two walks. Ryan Harris went 3-for-3 and Josh Epperson finished 2-for-4 for the Wolves.

Jackson Ranes knocked in Rancho's only run with an RBI double in the fourth.