Elko Edges Fernley in Nail-Biter

Last Friday, the Elko Indians squared off against the Fernley Vaqueros in a battle between two of the state’s top ballclubs. Elko emerged victorious by the slimmest of margins, a 6-5 win. For those who revel in minutiae, this marked Elko’s closest triumph since April 2024.

Elko’s bats came alive as eight different players recorded at least one hit, proving that teamwork is still the name of the game. Among them was Taylor Hunton, who went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate, crossing home once in the process—his first hits of the season. The Indians racked up a .455 batting average, leaving the Vaqueros trailing in their dust with a mere .294.

With the long-awaited first win, Elko lifted its record to 1-3, while Fernley saw its unbeaten streak snapped, falling to 3-1.

Neither club had much time to dwell on the outcome—Elko took the field only to suffer a heartbreakingly close 1-0 loss against Lowry. Fernley, meanwhile, bounced back in their next matchup, trouncing Boulder City 7-2.

As the calendar flipped to a new day, the Vaqueros are preparing for another test—the Douglas Tigers at 3:00 p.m. this evening. Both squads keep runs at a premium, meaning the men on the mound may hold the key to victory.

Fernley rolls in fresh off a 16-0 drubbing at the hands of Southwest EC, who stood at No. 11 in their home state’s rankings. That loss, with their prior stumble, now saddles the Vaqueros with back-to-back defeats.

Douglas, by contrast, showed their mettle in Tuesday’s home opener, blanking Churchill County 2-0. That marked their sixth straight victory over the Greenwave.

The night belonged to Duncan Delange, who looked steady, allowing just one hit while striking out eight over four masterful innings—a personal best. Meanwhile, Aiden Tarlo went 1-for-2 with a stolen base and an RBI.

With their win, Douglas upped their record to 1-0, extending their home winning streak to four games dating back to last season. Fernley, now sitting at 1-3-1, has a score to settle—the Tigers handed them a 12-4 loss in their last meeting.

But this time, the Vaqueros have the home-field advantage. Will that be enough to turn the tide? The answer will unfold this evening.