PREVIOUS EDITIONS

March 12 - March 18

March 19 - March 25

March 26 - April 1

April 2 - April 8

April 9 - April 15

April 16 - April 22

Welcome to "Primetime Pitchers", where each week, we'll highlight the top pitching performances across baseball and softball diamonds around the state of Idaho.

We will select one pitching performance for each day of the week.  Think of it as the best pitching line for that particular day.

Because the season began on a Wednesday, this weekly rundown will cover the previous week's Wednesday through Tuesday action.

If you'd like to nominate a Primetime Pitcher, send an email to brandon@idahosports.com.

Without further ado, let's get to it!

BASEBALL

Brett Paxton, Filer (Wednesday, April 22)

Paxton pitched a one-hit masterpiece in an 11-1 win over Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference rival Gooding.  Across five innings of work, Paxton allowed one unearned run on just one hit, while striking out eight and walking two.

Lincoln Mathis, Rocky Mountain (Thursday, April 23)

Mathis attends The Ambrose School, a Class 3A private school that does fairly well in athletics.  But the Archers don't have enough players to field a baseball team, so Ambrose's loss is Rocky Mountain's gain.  Mathis showcased why he's one of Idaho's best pitchers in a 10-0 shutout of Southern Idaho Conference foe Borah.  Mathis pitched a one-hitter in six innings of action, with 13 strikeouts and zero walks.

Sawyer Tilley, Jerome (Friday, April 24)

The Jerome Tigers entered the Class 5A District 4 Tournament as the sixth- and final-seeded team to make the field.  But the plucky Tigers will play for the district title later this week after an incredible Cinderella run that saw Jerome defeat second-seeded Mountain Home and third-seeded Burley.  The win over Burley, a 1-0 nail-biter, wouldn't have been possible without Tilley's efforts on the mound.  Tilley pitched the entire way, allowing just two hits in seven innings of work.  He struck out 15 Bobcats and only walked one.

Cy Hill, South Fremont (Saturday, April 25)

South Fremont started their best-of-three series with Teton in the Class 4A District 6 Tournament on a good foot, as Hill pitched the Cougars to an 11-1 win.  In six innings of work, Hill allowed one unearned run on three hits, while striking out eight and walking one.

Remington Higley, Buhl (Monday, April 28)

Higley pitched the Indians to an 8-0 opening round win over Filer at the Class 4A District 4 Tournament.  In seven innings, Higley tossed a two-hit shutout.  He struck out five and walked one.

Jameson Deitz, Ridgevue (Tuesday, April 29)

Ridgevue turned back Boise 10-0 in a Class 6A District 3 Tournament elimination game.  Deitz led the way, tossing four innings of one-hit ball.  Deitz struck out ten and walked none, and with the game no longer in doubt, he was removed in the fifth inning for a reliever.

SOFTBALL

Taylor Martinez, Glenns Ferry (Wednesday, April 23)

One week ago, Martinez earned the nod for our Primetime Pitcher slot for Wednesday's games after pitching a no-hitter.  One week later, she raised the stakes, throwing a perfect game in a 19-0 win over Greenleaf Friends in Western Idaho Conference play.  Martinez went five innings and faced the minimum 15 batters, striking out 12 of them. 

Grace Brooks, Owyhee (Thursday, April 24)

Owyhee shut out Ridgevue 12-0 in Southern Idaho Conference play behind a no-hitter from Brooks.  In five innings of work, Brooks allowed a lone walk while striking out 12.

Shae Jones, Timberlake (Friday, April 25)

Like Martinez on Wednesday, Jones is a repeat selection on this week's list, right down to the day of the week (Friday).  In a doubleheader sweep of Intermountain League rival Bonners Ferry, both performances were so good, we're going to highlight both here.  In a pair of wins (7-1 and 15-0), here's how Jones fared:

7 innings pitched, 1 hit, 1 unearned run, 21 strikeouts, 3 walks

6 innings pitched, 0 hits, 0 runs, 16 strikeouts, 2 walks

Leah Nordman, Coeur d'Alene (Saturday, April 26)

Coeur d'Alene shut out Lakeland 13-0 in Inland Empire League play, and Nordman's no-hitter carried the day.  Nordman allowed no hits and only two walks in five innings, while striking out 11.

Karlie Barnum, Cole Valley Christian (Monday, April 28)

We don't have an official tally or anything, but Barnum leads the league by far in just missing the cut on this weekly list.  Almost every week, Barnum has been considered, but someone else will throw a no-hitter or strike out a gaudy number of batters, pushing Barnum to the just missed category.  But Barnum finally threw a no-hitter of her own in a 15-0 win over Snake River Valley Conference foe Fruitland.  In five innings of work, Barnum allowed no hits and no walks while striking out 11.  The only thing preventing Barnum from tossing a perfect game was a defensive error.

Riglee Peterson, Malad (Tuesday, April 29)

This Malad Dragon has made the cut several times this year, and Tuesday's 22-0 shut out of South East Idaho Conference rival West Side was no exception.  Peterson threw a no-hitter after allowing no hits and no walks in five innings of work.  Peterson struck out nine Pirates, as well.  The only blemish on the day, and the difference between a perfect game and a no-hitter, was a single hit batsmen.