‘Justin’ in time for Carson

After Eddie Tierney did all the heavy lifting, Justin Nussbaumer came to the rescue for the Carson 9-10 Little League All-Stars.

Tierney staked Carson to the lead with his pitching and hitting and Nussbaumer went on to become the winning pitcher and pick up the game-winning hit in Carson’s come-from-behind 5-4 win over Reno Continental in the District I third place game on Friday at Governors Field.

Carson led 3-1 going into the sixth inning before Reno rallied for three runs to take a 4-3 lead. But then it was Carson’s turn to rally in the bottom of the sixth.

Aiden Lopez began the rally with his second hit of the game, a single. Dillon Damico followed with a walk and then Cameron Boeckman reached on an infield single to load the bases. Nussbaumer came on to hit a game-winning two-run double down the left field line.

Reno’s rally began in the sixth on a dropped popup in foul territory. Reno tied the game 3-3 on a two-run home run. Reno took the lead on an infield single, sacrifice bunt and double. It was then that Nussbaumer entered to pitch and he became the vulture to pick up the win on just one pitch as he induced a ground ball to end the inning.

Tierney was outstanding through 4 2/3 innings before reaching the pitch limit of 75 pitches. He allowed one run on just one hit while striking out 10 and walking three. Carson took a 1-0 lead in the first when Ashton Davenport walked and scored.

Reno tied it in the third on a double and two wild pitches. In the bottom of the third, Tierney tripled and scored on a wild pitch to give Carson a 2-1 lead. After Boeckman singled and stole second, Tierney hit an RBI single to give Carson a 3-1 lead in the fifth.

Tierney and Boeckman also had two hits and Carter March added a hit for Carson.

CARSON 11-12S FALL

Carson was eliminated from championship contention and fell into the consolation bracket in an 11-6 loss to Reno Centennial. Brian Gutherie had two hits and two runs, Dylan Roide and Diego Lopez each had two hits, Vernon Painter, Garritt Benavidez and Jacob Pettay all doubled and Justin Stevens added a hit for Carson.