If there was ever an easy time for Carson to get back to .500 in the Sierra League, today's game against South Tahoe will be it. The Vikings have yet to win a game this season and are coming off an 18-4 loss on Tuesday to Dayton, a 3A school. It was the first win of the season for the Dust Devils.
"It's like I told the kids, this is a game I feel we should go out and win," said Senator coach Ron McNutt. "But it's a funny game, you never know what's going to happen. You can't take anything for granted."
Carson is still a bit angry about dropping two of three to rival Douglas last week in the league opener for both teams. One of those losses was a 10-0 decision in five innings. But the Senators should be able to even their league record to 2-2 after today's game at 3:30 p.m. at Ron McNutt Field. South Tahoe will be the home team as its field is still buried under snow. In Saturday's doubleheader between the two teams, the Senators (7-2 overall, 1-2 league) will be the home team. Tim Priess will start today's game.
The Vikings (0-4-2) lost both games of their league opener to Reno last week. The third game was called because of inclement weather. That saved them probably a third league loss in what could a rougher season than last, when they finished 8-20 overall and 4-18 in league play. Not only is it forced to practice in their gym, South Tahoe must rely upon nine sophomores to carry it through this season.
"I feel for them,"McNutt said. "They have a tough situation."
Still, motivation won't be a problem for the Senators, though. When Douglas beat them last Thursday, 8-6, it was the first time in 18 games the Tigers had beaten Carson, dating back to 1994. The two teams split a doubleheader on Saturday.
"It was a tough opener for us and I'm sure it was for them too," McNutt said. "But they came out 2-1 and we came out 1-2. If we're going to lose some games, I'd rather lose them early in the year."
Douglas (6-3, 2-1) takes on Wooster at 3:30 p.m. today in Minden. On Tuesday in Reno, the Colts beat Galena, the defending Northern 4A regional champs, 4-1. It was the first loss of the season for the Grizzlies, who fell to 7-1.
Wooster returns two of its top pitchers in Chris Toto and Charlie Geffert from last season's state-qualifying team, which finished 20-10. This will be the league opener for the Colts (7-0). Along with Reno, the defending league champions, Douglas, Carson, and Wooster should be battling for the league title, in no particular order.
"I think it's wide open," McNutt said. "Unless a team goes in and beats everybody by winning three straight, it should be (wide open). There are going to be a lot of splits (in Saturday's doubleheader games)."