BC grads ready for series with Western Nevada

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, May 18, 2009 | 8:41 p.m.

Mike Long and Brett Moravec have been playing baseball together since their childhood with Boulder City Little League.

Now sophomore outfielders at Western Nevada College in Carson City, their odyssey will take them to one of the game’s biggest stages — a World Series.

Western Nevada will make its second appearance in three years at the Junior College World Series when it opens the eight-team event against top-ranked Howard College (57-1) of Texas on Saturday.

The duo plans to savior their moment in the spotlight in Grand Junction, Colo., where crowds typically reach more than 10,000 fans.

Long had two hits and three runs on May 16 to help Western Nevada beat Central Arizona College 10-7 in the finals of the Western District tournament and earn a spot in the series.

Getting to play in the series is a dream come true. Doing it with someone who has been your teammate since you were 7-years-old makes it that much more special.

They were part of Boulder City’s state championship team in 2006. Now, a national championship is only a few wins away.

“It’s been a pretty incredible journey for us,” Moravec said. “We played all-stars together in Little League, won a state championship in high school and now we are in the series. It’s a pretty awesome experience.”

Long, a center fielder, is one of eight Southern Nevadans on Western Nevada’s roster. He was fourth on the team with a .316 batting average, adding 22 runs, 26 RBIs and seven stolen bases.

“Mike Long has had a tremendous two months down the stretch,” Western Nevada coach D.J. Whittemore said. “He has been turning in great at bat after great at bat.”

Long credits his success to paying attention to detail and putting in extra hours at practice. He hopes to continue his stellar play in the series.

“This is something I will never forget,” Long said. “This has been a pretty intense and emotional time. It will be a fun experience a lot of people will never get the opportunity to have.”

The Boulder City graduates aren’t the only ones having an impact for Western Nevada.

Infielders Lance Ray of Sierra Vista High and Travis Feiner of Cimarron-Memorial High are two of the top players in the competitive Scenic West Athletic Conference and David Carroll of Spring Valley High went 6-3 as the Wildcats’ No. 2 starter.

“Our lineup is dominated with Southern Nevada guys,” Whittemore said. “They’ve been the backbone to our success.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.