Carson National clinches No. 1 seed

Appeal Staff Report

This is one of the rare times when a team may have actually not wanted to be the No. 1 seed.

Carson National rolled to a 16-0 win over South Tahoe on Monday to conclude pool play in the Little League 11-12-year-old Hooligans All-Star Tournament at Gardnerville's Aspen Park. The Nationals finished 3-1 and enter today's quarterfinals as the No. 1 seed from its bracket.

But because Carson American finished as the No. 2 seed from its bracket, the two teams would have to meet in the semifinals on Wednesday if they win today. Carson National will play at 8 p.m. today against Reno American West and Carson American will also play at 8 p.m. today.

If Sparks Centennial had won its last game, it would have been the No. 1 seed, thus placing Carson American and Carson National in opposite brackets and setting up a possible showdown in Thursday's championship game. But Sparks Centennial was upset 8-7 by Reno Continental, vaulting Carson National to the No. 1 seed.

Against South Tahoe, Chase Blueberg pitched a three-hit complete game shutout, striking out six over four innings. Josiah Pongasi went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and two runs, T.J. Thomsen was 4-for-5 with three runs, Alex Borgman hit a three-run homer, Nevin Elliott was 3-for-3 with two runs, Nate Cotreneo was 2-for-3 with two runs, Evan Carlson went 1-for-1 with a run, Jacob Roll and Blueberg each scored two runs and Kyle Steele added a run.