Cardinals win second game of season against Sun Devils

By Charles Whisnand

Appeal Sports Editor

It's been a long time since the Carson Cardinals have beaten the Sierra Sun Devils twice in the same summer. Actually, it's believed that the Cardinals have never beaten the Sun Devils twice in the same summer.

But the Cardinals accomplished that feat Sunday at Ron McNutt Field, beating the Sun Devils 3-2 on Kyle Stone's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning. David Charles pitched a complete game for the win as the Cardinals have now won two of the three meetings with the Sun Devils this summer.

"I don't know," said Cardinals coach Scott Albin when asked if the Cardinals have ever beaten the Sun Devils twice in the same summer.

The Sun Devils are generally recognized as Northern Nevada's top summer team. While the Sun Devils were missing several of their top players on Sunday, they're still a team that features a number of players who have graduated from high school and some who have played in junior college. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have players who are all still in high school.

"The bulk of their team is really a lot of graduated seniors and first-year junior college guys," Albin said.

In the bottom of the seventh, Brooks Hutchins doubled and Colby Blueberg reached on an infield single. After Brett Valley was intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs, Stone eventually came through with his game-winner.

Another reason why the Cardinals were able to win was the defensive play of the game by centerfielder Tommy Preston in the fourth. Preston robbed 2007 Carson High graduate David Leid of a game-tying extra base hit with a diving catch in left centerfield to preserve a 2-1 lead. Preston went on to double off the runner at second for a game-ending double play.

"That was a great play," Albin said. "He saved us a run and got a double play out of it. It basically saved the game and gave us a chance to win."

Charles struck out only three, but was able to keep the Sun Devils off balance with his changeup and curveball and allowed just six hits.

"He threw great," Albin said. "He had his curveball working which is huge. He made them not look good. They didn't have good at bats a lot of the times."

The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the first when Valley singled and scored on Stone's RBI triple. Stone then scored on Cody Barr's RBI ground ball.

Leid singled and scored to make it 2-1 in the second. The Sun Devils tied it in the sixth on Victor Mendoza's home run.

Stone had three hits, Brooks Hutchins had two hits and Tyler Hutchins added a hit for the Cardinals. Dayton's Cory Yoder had two hits for the Sun Devils. The Cardinals return to action today for a scheduled 4 p.m. game against the Reno Knights at Ron McNutt Field.