With Tim Priess pitching like this, there was just no way South Tahoe was going to find a way to win. Not with two sophomore pitchers going up against a Carson lineup that needed to regain its swagger on offense. Not against a Senator team desperately wanting to get back to .500 in the Sierra League after losing two of three to rival Douglas.
But, especially not against Priess, who tossed a one-hitter and struck out seven batters as the Senators cruised to a 10-0 win in five innings on Thursday afternoon at Ron McNutt Field.
"Priess just dominated us all day," said Viking coach Doug Russell. "He had our number with that curveball. If he pitches anywhere close to how he did against us this season, he's going to put up some big numbers."
Royce Reardon provided the only offense for South Tahoe, a two-out single in the bottom of the second. Carson, meanwhile, had plenty of offense, although it took a little while to get the bats going. Once the Senators did, it was all over for Viking starting pitcher Peter Maess, who was effective early with his off speed stuff before Carson eventually figured him out.
"It was tough at first against him," said Carl Winter, who went 3-for-3 with three RBIs. "We were swinging out of our shoes. It just took mental focus on our part, then we were all right."
In the top of the first, the Senators (8-2 overall, 2-2 league) scored two runs off two hits, but should've only scored one. But a throwing error, one of three South Tahoe errors in the game, allowed Ben Moore to score. It was just one of those games for Maess and the Vikings, who actually played well, but just made too many mistakes against the Senators.
"It's just that South Tahoe is a very young ball club," said Carson coach Ron McNutt. "Plus, they only get outside for games. That makes a big difference."
The Senators scored three runs in the second and two more in the fourth to go up 7-0 before Shawn McLaughlin, another sophomore, replaced Maess. McLaughlin didn't fare much better, though, giving up three runs on two hits and hitting three batters in only one inning of work. Carson scored three runs in the fifth following Winter's RBI double, Ben Moore's sacrifice fly, and Owen Brolsma RBI single. Brolsma ended up three RBIs and Neil Holmes went 1-for-2 with an RBI double.
"We just came in here and did what we wanted to do, get the win in five innings," Winter said. "We scored almost every inning, which is what we tried to do."
The win moves the Senators into a tie with Douglas in the league standings. The Tigers lost the Colts 7-5 on Thursday in Minden to fall to 2-2 in league play. Now, perhaps, dropping two of three to start the league season wasn't that big of deal for Carson.
"That third game (Carson's only win) against Douglas was really important for us in the league standings," Winter said. "Now we just need to keep our confidence."
That shouldn't be too hard. Carson and South Tahoe play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at Ron McNutt Field.
