Justin Nussbaumer delivers a pitch Wednesday afternoon in a Class 5A Northern Nevada regional tournament elimination game. Nussbaumer was perfect through five innings as Carson staved off elimination.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
After Galena broke up Carson High starting pitcher Justin Nussbaumer’s perfect game in the sixth inning, it was the Senator bench that had their pitcher’s back.
A 2-2 game quickly turned in favor of Carson behind four hits, which turned into seven Senator runs.
The Senators grabbed a 3-2 lead on a Grizzly error and Trey Thomas added-on with a double down the right field line, knocking in two RBIs.
Kobe Morgan reached on an error right before Dillon Damico put in the dagger with a two-run homer that snuck inside the right field foul pole.
By the time Galena could halt the damage, Carson led 9-2 and Nussbaumer tallied on three more outs to seal it.
“I threw that error and they picked me up like I knew they would,” said Nussbaumer. “I’ve seen (Damico) hit a few out that way.”
Nussbaumer deals in momentous outing“I knew it. It was in the back of my mind, but I was trying to stay up and just keep throwing,” said Nussbaumer of his stretch of perfection Wednesday.
Through the first two innings, the senior sailed throwing 21 pitches – of which 16 were strikes.
“I was able to locate my slider,” said Nussbaumer. “Grip thing mostly. It was just feel for it. I didn’t really have a great feel for anything.”
After going six innings against Reed and allowing three hits while striking out seven, Nussbaumer felt the pitch working with him.
“That was when I was like, man, I really like that pitch,” said Nussbaumer, “I hadn’t really used it before that.”
Wednesday, in a regional elimination game, the man with the newfound slider struck out five Grizzly hitters while allowing just two hits.
Both those hits came in that sixth inning.
Perfection will have to wait for another day, but Nussbaumer and Carson head coach Bryan Manoukian turn to another do-or-die contest Thursday.
“That was the best I’ve seen him throw. What a day,” said Manoukian.
UP NEXT: The Senators will head to No. 5 Damonte Ranch for a 4 p.m. first pitch against the Mustangs.
Area baseball updatesSpanish Springs 6, Douglas 3
- Douglas’ season ends with their second loss in regional play. The Tigers finish the year with a 4-16 record.
SoftballSpanish Springs 3, Carson 0
- UP NEXT: The Senators drop into the elimination bracket and play tomorrow (Thursday) at 5 p.m. against the winner of McQueen and Damonte Ranch. The prior contest will happen at 2:30 p.m. at Carson’s field.
- Corine Doran 2-for-3; Amberlee Ketten 2-for-3
- Caydee Farnworth 6IP, 4H, 2ER, 11K, 4BB
Reed 4, Douglas 3
- UP NEXT: The Tigers fall into the elimination bracket and play tomorrow (Thursday) at home against No. 6 Reno. First pitch is expected at 4 p.m. Douglas beat Reno, 12-0, in the opening round of regional play
- Talia Tretton 6IP, 4H, 1ER, 4K, 3BB
- Ryleigh Blaire 1-for-2 with a 2B, RBI
- Hailey Wilkinson 2-for-3
