No surprise in Silverado’s upset of Bishop Gorman

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, March 16, 2009 | 2:56 p.m.

Ray Brewer

Sure, it was only one victory.

But for the Silverado High baseball team, its 4-2 triumph against Bishop Gorman on Thursday in the season opener for both schools was more than another tally in the win column.

Gorman entered as the nation's No. 1 ranked team by Baseball America and winner of the last three state titles. The first championship was an upset in the 2006 final against Silverado's senior-dominated lineup, making last week's victory that much sweeter.

It was the first time the teams had met during the high school season since the state showdown.

"We talked to the kids afterwards and told them it was a little form of redemption for those kids who lost a few years back," Silverado coach Brian Whitaker said.

It didn't take long for word to spread of the victory. Senior Matt Scala is the lone carryover from the 2006 team but not the only member from that squad who joined the celebration.

Whitaker, the only coach in the program's 15-year history, estimates he and his assistants received phone calls and text messages from upwards of 50 supporters — highlighted by several messages from members of the 2006 team. Assistant coach Jared Ferdinand, a 2003 Silverado graduate, had 15 text messages before the team's bus arrived back at campus roughly one hour after the game.

"We have a real tight Silverado baseball community," Whitaker said. "Our program has always been based on loyalty and commitment and that was a big win for those (graduates and supporters)."

Silverado, which spent time in Baseball America's poll during the 2006 season, is traditionally one of the state's premiere programs. Led by the Whitaker brothers — Brian's brother, Barry, has been there since Day 1 as an assistant — the Skyhawks won the 2000 state crown and always produce quality ballplayers, both on the field and as citizens.

The victory against nationally respected Gorman does not come as a surprise. It was an upset only because of Gorman's elite status.

"You can go your entire career and never have the opportunity to face the No. 1 team," Brian Whitaker said. "It was a great opportunity for our kids and for Southern Nevada baseball in general. Gorman doing what they have done has brought a lot of attention to the quality of baseball (in Las Vegas)."

The Skyhawks didn't have much time to enjoy the win.

They open the season with nine games in 10 days, a rigorous slate of contests against the area's top teams to get players experience and find the right lineup for the start of Southeast Division play next week. They were 3-0 as of March 16.

Whitaker, win or lose, usually does not let his emotions show to his athletes following a game. It was the same way following the Gorman victory — I suspect containing his emotions, however, was easier said than done.

"It is not how you start the season. It is how you end it," Whitaker said. "But it was sure a fun way to start."

Sports Editor Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@hbcpub.com.