Carson High’s Dillon Damico snags a ground ball at Douglas last week. The Senators sit at 2-1 following their first three games of the season.
Photo by Ron Harpin.
Carson High baseball coach Bryan Manoukian thinks Northern Nevada Class 5A may have more parity than normal this season.
However, the longtime Senator skipper knows with a 16-game season – compacted over five weeks – Carson will need to get wins when it can.
The Senators made good on that plan in the season opener with a 5-3 win over Douglas, in which they scored the last four runs without a hit.
Saturday, Carson dropped the first half of a doubleheader against Damonte Ranch, 15-0, before snagging game two by a final of 5-4.
“Our league is so competitive, we have to go with guys when they are hot and rest guys when it’s their time to pitch,” said Manoukian. “I think the team that has the most pieces they can plug in … will do the most damage.”
Early production
Through three games, Dillon Damico has knocked in four RBIs for the Senators.
On the mound, Damico earned a win in the second game against Damonte tossing five innings while allowing three earned runs and recording a strikeout.
Trey Thomas punched out eight Douglas batters in the season opener and did not allow an earned run while picking up the win.
“I thought Trey Thomas was fantastic,” said Manoukian on Thursday. “He pitched out of jams. He picked up his teammates. … He battled and he kept his composure.”
Starting pitcher Jade Stotts came in to close out the contest, which may become a frequent sighting with the Senators this season.
The head coach admitted that Carson will have to win games when they are out in front this season and can’t afford to let wins slip away in such a competitive region.
“He’s a starter for us, but that’s what I mean, when you’ve got a shot to win a game you have to go and win that game,” said Manoukian. “I think it’s going to be ultra-competitive and everybody has guys. If you don’t come to play, you’re going to get crushed.”
In order to ride the hot hand, Manoukian said his lineup would shuffle throughout the season.
Justin Nussbaumer, Kobe Morgan, Bryce Baker and Ian Fontaine will continue to be staples for the Senators in several areas.
Season outlook
An ultra-competitive Class 5A Northern Region with parity leaves a lot of unknowns around the league.
Reno High is consistently a strong contender in the North, but numerous other teams could find their way into the mix with a winning stretch.
“I think there could be a lot of good battles across the league every time we have a game,” said Manoukian.
Carson will average four contests a week – Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday doubleheader – this season before the regional tournament in late May.
With a short regular season and plenty of unknowns, Carson could be making noise by the time the regional tournament rolls around.
“We’re going to do things the way we’ve always done them and if we have enough talent to get it done, we will,” Manoukian said.
