Dittler, Gators in prime position to reach state

Spencer Patterson

Friday, May 11, 2001 | 10:27 a.m.

For the past five weeks, sidelined Green Valley pitcher Jake Dittler has been envisioning a scenario -- one that would have him return to the mound in time to lead his team into the 4A State Baseball Tournament.

Today, the senior right-hander will get that very opportunity. After staying in the winner's bracket of the Sunrise Region Tournament with an 11-1 win over rival Silverado Thursday, the Gators will have their ace back on the hill for today's semifinals.

"(Getting Dittler back) will be a big motivational tool for the kids," Green Valley coach Nick Garritano said. "It's nice to get your horse back, especially at this time of year."

A Green Valley win would put the Henderson school back in the state tournament for the first time since the Gators claimed their sixth consecutive state title in 1998.

Dittler (3-2, 1.35 ERA) left his team's league opener against Basic on April 5 with a strained muscle in his elbow, and hasn't seen game action since. One of Nevada's top pitchers, the Cal-State Northridge signee had 41 strikeouts in 31 innings before the injury.

"It feels good. I've been doing a lot of throwing lately to get back in condition to pitch," Dittler said. "I'm excited. If we win this game we're going to state, and I haven't been there yet."

In Dittler's absence, Green Valley (21-6) has received strong pitching from the trio of Paul Vignola, Ryan Tabor and Adam Morris, all of whom helped the Gators to the Southeast Division title and a top seed in this week's Sunrise regional.

On Thursday, Tabor continued to sparkle, holding the Skyhawks to their lone run on four hits and striking out five in the shortened five-inning contest.

The sophomore left-hander also received plenty of support from his offense, which generated eight runs in the final frame to blow open a tight 3-1 affair and evoke the 10-run rule.

"When you get people on base and the pitcher is working out of the stretch, good things can happen," said Green Valley outfielder Garrett Guzman, the Southern Nevada Player of the Year. "And the bottom of our lineup really came through today."

Twelve Gators came to the plate in the fifth, with Guzman leading the way with a pair of singles and two RBIs. Chris McGovern's two-run double chased Silverado starter Wes Johnson, who gave way to relievers Anthony Vita and Ken Sherwood.

Zeke Parraz, Kyle Price and Brandon Hall joined Guzman with two hits apiece in the game, with Parraz knocking in a team-high three runs. Jordan Parraz belted a solo homer in the fourth.

"It was just a big-time team effort today," Garritano said. "It's the old saying, 'Hitting is contagious.' Hopefully it will carry over."

The Skyhawks (23-9) take on Valley (9-25) today at 3 p.m., with the winner advancing to face Green Valley at 6 p.m. Should the Gators lose, the game will be re-played Saturday at 9 a.m.

In the other half of the Sunrise bracket, Basic (25-9) advanced with a 13-3 win over Foothill. The Wolves will face the winner of today's 3 p.m. game between the Falcons (17-14) and Las Vegas (17-18) at 6 p.m.

In Sunset Region action Thursday, Durango edged Palo Verde 3-1. The Trailblazers (23-9) will face either the Panthers (20-10) or Cimarron-Memorial (17-11) today at 6 p.m.

Top seed Bishop Gorman (24-9) stayed in the driver's seat in the other side of the Sunset draw, besting Bonanza 7-3. The Gaels will face the winner of today's Bonanza (17-13) vs. Cheyenne (13-18) 3 p.m. clash at 6 p.m.