Carson softball splits with Elko

The Carson High softball team settled for a split on Wednesday against Elko, winning the opener of a doubleheader 5-3 before losing the nightcap 5-1.

Liz Rankl got Carson off to the right start in the opener when she hit a leadoff home run on the first pitch. Katie Davis followed with a single, Lindsay Farnworth doubled and Jessica Ashbaugh hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the first inning.

Ari Gonzalez and Robyn Conn each had RBI doubles later in the game as well for the Senators.

Mandy Carvin was the winning pitcher, allowing one hit over three innings. Farnworth finished up for Carson. Jamie Yenter had two hits, Gonzalez had two RBI and Jessica Ashbaugh and Davis each added hits for Carson.

Carvin also pitched a strong game in the nightcap, striking out 12 over five innings while allowing two earned runs. Elko scored two unearned runs in the third, two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh.

Carson took a 1-0 lead in the first when Rankl led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Davis. Ashbaugh, Yenter, Jessica Grant, Dacey Hassey and Davis all had hits for the Senators.

"The girls played well and they hit the ball well," said Carson coach Scott Vickrey about the opener. "The girls are playing well. They're coming along."

The Senators will return to Sierra League action against South Tahoe at 3:30 p.m. today at home and will play in the Reed Tournament on Friday and Saturday.