Marquez Letcher-Ellis
FALLON — Dayton High’s 13-game baseball winning streak came to a tough end Friday afternoon at the hands of the Fallon Greenwave ace Alex Mendez.
Mendez scattered five hits and fanned 11 against the first-place Devils, who lost their first league contest 2-0 since the first weekend of the season.
“He was everything advertised,” said Dayton coach Mike Burrows. “We had some opportunities but were unable to capitalize.
“Trevor (Burrows) threw well, allowing only five hits and two runs, both unearned. It was two mistakes that made the difference.”
Burrows fanned eight and walked three.
Jake Madson led Dayton with two hits, while Dylan Baker, Justin Schmidt and C.J. Wilhite added one each.
Dayton put runners at second and third in the third, but Mendez struck out Trevor Burrows and Jesse Schmidt to end the threat.
The Dust Devils got runners to first and third in the fifth, but Wilhite was caught stealing for the third out. Dayton got runners to first and second in the sixth, but Mendez fanned Hein for the third out.
Fallon hosts Dayton today at 11 and 1.
Senators on the road
Carson is on the road today at Wooster High for a key 4A doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.
The Senators are 8-10 with four league games left. Carson is tied for the final playoff spot.
Bryce Moyle and Jared Barnard will start on the hill for CHS.
SOFTBALL
Fallon tops Dayton
FALLON — Aleea Howe, Elizabeth Vincent and Tamia Powell all had two hits for Dayton, but Fallon managed to grab a 7-3 victory on Friday.
“I’m very happy with the way the girls played,” DHS coach Dusti Houk said. “We just couldn’t string enough hits together to put more runs on the board.
“We are meshing together and go into each game with the attitude that we can win.”
Dayton plays at Fallon today at 11 and 1.
Carson at home today
The Senators, coming off a 9-0 win over North Valleys, host Damonte Ranch in a key doubleheader today at 11 a.m.
BASKETBALL
RENO – University of Nevada head men’s basketball coach Eric Musselman has signed Marquez Letcher-Ellis to a scholarship agreement to play for the Wolf Pack in 2018-19. Letcher-Ellis transfers to Nevada from Rice and will sit out next season under NCAA transfer rules and have two years to play for the Pack. The 6-7, 205-pound forward is from Houston and is the second player to sign with the Wolf Pack this week joining Omaha transfer Tre’Shawn Thurman as members of the recruiting class.
“We are so excited to have Marquez as a part of our program,” Musselman said. “He will bring us great versatility and energy. He has great athleticism as a hybrid forward and is capable of making game changing plays at both ends of the floor. He fits in our position-less style of play and he will thrive in our free flowing offense. He fell in love with the campus, our community, and his teammates while on the visit. He felt a family environment with our team and staff and committed before he left the visit.”
“I’m so excited to join the Wolf Pack family,” Letcher-Ellis said. “I fell in love with the players and coaching staff during my visit to campus and knew Nevada was the place for me before I left campus. I knew this would be the perfect environment for me to thrive during my player development year.”
In two seasons at Rice, Letcher-Ellis played in 67 games and started 16. He made 15 starts as a sophomore and one his freshman season. In 32 games as a freshman he averaged 10.2 points and five rebounds. This past season he scored 7.7 points per game and grabbed 4.9 rebounds per contest. His career averages in 67 games are 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds.
His sophomore season, the 6-7, 205-pound forward posted 12 double figure scoring games and for the second year in a row blocked 36 shots, tied for the sixth-best season in Rice history and is second most for an Owl sophomore. Against Florida Atlantic he recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
As a freshman he scored in double figures in 18 games that included two 20-point performances. Four times he topped the team in rebounding and twice grabbed double figure boards. His 36 blocked shots is tied for sixth in Owl history and second most by a freshman.
As a prep athlete he played with current Wolf Pack sophomore Josh Hall at Genesis Academy during the 2013-14 season where he averaged 14.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 2.8 steals per game. He spent his final prep season at Montverde Academy and helped them to a 31-1 record and third consecutive national championship.
