GARDNERVILLE - Carson City's 11-12 year old all-star squad ran into the juggernaut known as Reno National on Thursday night, and the outcome wasn't pretty.
Carson City made six errors and managed just one hit - a bunt single by Shane Andrews - in a 10-2 loss in the District 1 tournament at Aspen Park.
The loss dropped Carson City to 1-2 entering today's game (8 p.m.) against Reno American East.
"They (Reno American East) are on the weaker side of the bracket, but we're right there with them," Carson manager Jim Andrews said. "We need to win."
One thing is certain, Carson needs to hit the ball better, according to Andrews.
"I'm not just talking base hits," he said. "We have to hit as a team. We have to put the ball in play and make them make plays."
It's a valid point. Carson struck out 12 times and only hit two balls out of the infield against Deme Small, Savannah Schultze and Matt DeRicco.
Small pitched the first four innings, fanning nine and allowing a hit and an earned run. Small struck out seven of the first nine hitters he faced. Schultze fanned two, walked one and allowed a run in her only inning of work and DeRicco walked one in his only inning.
"Early on, we were trying to hit the first fastball," Andrews said. "When that wasn't working, we tried to play the small game. The kid (Small) wasn't wild. The girl threw a couple of nice curveballs."
While Small blew the ball by Carson hitters, Carson starter Brandon Davidson wasn't as successful.
After Brock Carlock was safe on an error to start the inning, Davidson unleashed a wild pitch moving him to third. Jack Mayer grounded to second to score a run. Davidson walked the next three hitters, but struck out the next hitter to end the inning.
Reno knocked Davidson out of the game in the second, scoring three more times for a 4-0 lead. DeRicco and Hillson also hit safely in the inning.
A critical two-out error in the third enabled Reno National to stretch its lead to 6-0.
Carson scored in the fourth when Small plunked Josiah Pongasi with a pitch. Andrews followed with a bunt single and both runners moved up on a wild pitch. Pongasi eventually scored on another Small wild pitch.
Hillson hit a solo homer in the fifth, igniting a three-run rally that made it 9-1.
Carson scored its last run in the fifth on a walk, error and fielder's choice.