Nationals fall to Reno American West

Carson National coach Chris Peterson has a talent for understatement and a flair for color.

When asked to summarize his team's 20-7 loss to Reno American West in the Nevada District 1 Little League 11-12 All-Star Tournament Thursday at Governor's Field, Peterson kept it short, sweet and entertaining in spite of the circumstances.

"They hit the snot out of the ball," Peterson said. "There was nothing we could do."

Carson never held the lead, as Reno American West jumped up 4-0 in the first inning, a frame in which the tone was set by Logan Campbell's solo homer to lead off the game.

RAW outhit the Nationals, 19-6, with Kody Reynolds going long in the third and Kyle Pruneau hitting a round-tripper in a three-run fourth.

Carson trailed 4-2 in the first, picking up runs by Danny Okimura, who scored on an error and Chance Quilling, who came home on Drew Moreland's triple.

Moreland was a bright spot for the Nationals, getting three hits and driving in five runs.

Reno scored three more in the second and added another three-spot in the third. Moreland drove in Rory Peterson with an RBI-single, but the Nationals still trailed 10-3.

RAW threatened to put the game away with three runs in the fourth, but Okimura had an RBI-double and Moreland contributed a three-run triple to make it 13-7.

But Reno was not to be denied and exploded for a seven-run fifth to end the game on the 10-run mercy rule.

"It killed us when North Tahoe pulled out (Monday)," Peterson said. "Our pitching rotation was set. We were supposed to have our bye tonight, then we got thrown into this game."

Starter Pruneau picked up the win for RAW, while Max Keller, Josh Gagna and Cody Scarlett pitched for Carson, with Keller taking the loss.

The defeat ended any chances for Carson National to compete in Saturday's single-elimination quarterfinals. The Nationals will conclude their season today against Sparks National at Governor's Field, Field 2, at 5:30 p.m.

Asked for his team's approach today, Peterson was once again succinct.

"Just win. We just gotta win one," he said. "We've worked so hard. To lose like this kills us. But we battled through."