Carson High baseball splits first two games

The young Carson High baseball team could have let this get ugly. But instead the young Senators showed some resiliency.

Carson still lost to Spanish Springs 7-5 on Friday at Ron McNutt Field, but it looked like it was going to be a lot worse when the Cougars took a 7-0 lead after three innings before the Senators came back to make things interesting.

It was the second straight game in which CHS showed an ability to come back as it opened the season with a 7-4 win over Colfax. Carson scored seven runs in the fifth inning against Colfax after trailing 2-0.

“As far as being seven down to start the game that’s not a good look,” Carson coach Bryan Manoukian said. “They gave us a chance to win and that’s all you can ask for when you start a game like that. They never quit. The scrapped. They fought back.”

Carson’s Damien Branco settled down after coming into the game in the third inning. Branco allowed three runs, two earned in the third, but went onto shut out the Cougars over the final four innings.

“Damien was in his first varsity appearance,” Manoukian said. “I think he was a little fired up and nervous but he settled down. They’re a good offensive team.”

Carson scored four runs in the fourth all with two outs. After an error, Garrett Benavidez singled and stole second to give Carson runners at second and third. Josh Buchan popped on up in the middle of the infield and the Cougars misplayed it into an infield single, loading the bases.

Bryce Baker hit a two-run single to make it 7-2. After pinch runner Justin Nussbaumer stole second to give CHS runners at second and third, Kenny Adeylott hit a two-run single to make it 7-4.

Branco and CHS received a little bit of what could have been considered poetic justice in the fifth. Branco hit the leadoff batter who then appeared to steal second.

But the hitter was called out for interference and the runner was sent back to first. After a lengthy argument from the Spanish Springs coaches, Branco immediately threw over to pick off the runner at first.

In the sixth, Baker singled, Josh Ingram reached on a bunt single and Kobe Morgan hit an RBI single to pull CHS to within 7-5.

Delsin Roberts, Baker and Benavidez all had two hits for the Senators, which also played Friday night against West Valley.

Carson 7, Colfax 4

Carson rallied for the win against Colfax. The Senators trailed 2-0 going into the bottom of the fifth but scored seven runs in the fifth to take a 7-2 lead.

Kenny Aydelott’s single on a 0-1 count in the fifth gave Carson a 3-2 lead. Kobe Morgan followed with the big hit of the game, a three-run double to give the Senators a 6-2 lead

Justin Stevens was the winning pitcher for Carson. He allowed two runs on six hits while striking out five and walking one through five innings. Justin Nussbaumer retired the side in order in the sixth, striking out one.

Carson collected nine hits. Aydelott, Casey Martensen, and Garritt Benavidez all had two hits. Benavidez and Martensen each also had a double. Delsin Roberts and Josh Ingram each added a hit for CHS.

Douglas goes 2-1

The Tigers beat McQueen 5-2 on Thursday before losing to Damonte Ranch 11-4 on Friday. The Tigers then routed West Valley 12-1 on Friday afternoon at Ron McNutt Field.

In the first inning against McQueen, Douglas got its offense started when Ayden Murphy singled on a 2-1 count, scoring one run.

Eli Hinojosa picked up the win, allowing one run on three hits with nine strikeouts in five innings. Douglas had nine hits on the day. Camden Brown had three hits and Andrew Rangel added two hits for Douglas.

Against Damonte, Douglas led 3-1 after three innings and the scored was tied 4-4 going into the seventh inning when the Mustangs scored seven runs. Adam Garren pitched 1/1 scoreless innings, striking out two for Douglas. Eli Lyons came on to get the last out for the Tigers after Damonte broke the game e

Starting pitcher Gage Hoyle allowed four runs on eight hits over four and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking one for Douglas. Adam Garren pitched 1/1 scoreless innings, striking out two for Douglas. Eli Lyons came on to get the last out for the Tigers after Damonte broke the game open.

Christopher Thacker, Ayden Murphy, and Andrew Rangel led Douglas offensively.

Douglas 12, West Valley 1

Douglas finished off the rout with three runs in the sixth as Sloane Niccoli and Evan Simpson each had an RBI single during the rally.

Rangel was the winning pitcher, allowing one run on five hits and striking out four over five innings. Thacker pitched a scoreless inning in relief.

Douglas pounded out 18 hits in the game. Lyons and Simpson each had three hits and Rangel and Hinojosa added two hits for the Tigers.