A dominating pitching performance from Cam Curtis on Thursday helped Papillion-La Vista South get off to a winning start at the Monarch Invitational.
The junior left-hander tossed a two-hitter to lead the host Titans to a 5-0 victory over Lincoln Southeast. Curtis went the distance, striking out nine while walking two.
"He's competitive and he throws three pitches for strikes," Papio South coach Bill Lynam said. "And his location was outstanding."
Curtis had a no-hitter going until freshman Brooks Gordon singled to left with one out in the fifth. He is the nephew of Alex Gordon, who played at Southeast and Nebraska before his major-league career with Kansas City.
The lefty allowed an infield hit with two out in the seventh before retiring Brayden Rasmussen on a line drive to second for the final out.
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"Our defense played well, and I filled up the zone," Curtis said. "I got on top of my fastball today and my changeup was my strikeout pitch."
On a typically windy day at Papio South, that probably didn't hurt the movement on his pitches.
"The wind does help," Lynam said. "Cam did a good job and we did enough on offense to support him."
The fifth-ranked Titans (12-8) struck for two runs in the first. Niko Skoufis had an RBI triple and Danny Wallace followed with a run-producing groundout.
Papio South added a run in the fourth on an infield throwing error before scoring two more in the sixth. Isaiah O'Brien belted an RBI single and Grant Gilbreath scored on the back end of a double steal.
"We battled and scratched out a couple of runs late," Lynam said. "I think that will give us an extra boost of confidence moving on in the tournament."
The Titans advance to a 2:30 p.m. semifinal Friday against Lincoln Pius X, a 5-2 winner Thursday over Millard West.
In a first-round game at Fricke Field, the host Monarchs defeated Gretna 2-1. Elkhorn South and Omaha Westside were playing the late game.
Curtis said the win would be a positive for Papio South as the season winds down.
"Our bats are getting hot and our pitching is doing a lot better," he said. "And our defense is making plays all over the field."
Lincoln Southeast (10-8) ... 000 000 0—0 2 2
Papillion-LVS (12-8) ... 200 102 x—5 6 0
W: Curtis. L: Ambrose. 2B: PLVS, O'Brien. 3B: PLVS, Skoufis.
Lincoln Pius X 5, Millard West 2
Cooper Culhane threw a complete-game five-hitter and Kai Vanis belted a solo homer as the unranked Thunderbolts upset the Class A No. 3 Wildcats. Pius took the lead for good with a three-run fifth.
Lincoln Pius X (6-12) ... 000 031 1—5 9 1
Millard West (21-4) ... 010 000 1—2 5 1
W: Culhane. 2B: LPX, Ledgerwood. HR: LPX, Culhane. ​