The comeback kids did it again.
For the third time in the State Babe Ruth Tournament, Carson's 14-year-old all-star team came back for a win. This time, Carson really had a flare for the dramatic as it rallied for a 10-3 win over Sparks in eight innings after being down to its final out and on the brink of elimination.
The magic carpet ride continues today when Carson (4-1) plays Reno West at 5:30 p.m. at Governor's Field. The winner advances to Thursday's championship round against South Reno.
Bryt Lewis came through with a two-run single in the seventh inning with two outs to tie the score 3-3 and force extra innings. Lewis also added an RBI single in the eighth as Carson scored seven runs to break the game open.
Tony Fagan punctuated the rally with a three-run triple that made it 10-3. Fagan had an RBI double as well. Carson also received clutch performances on the mound from starting pitcher Josh Caron and reliever Joe Skates, who shut out Sparks over the final three-plus innings for the win.
Carson is also well set up for its run through the rest of the tournament as its top three pitchers -- Caron, Skates and Fagan -- still have innings left.
"We're in good position to try to continue this," Carson manager Trent Osmer said.
Nathaniel Hamer began the rally in the seventh when he singled and John Hazeltine walked and Nick Smallman singled to load the bases. Skates was the victim of bad luck when he lined out to right field, but Lewis came through with his two-run single.
"I can't say enough about Bryt," Osmer said.
Skates had to work out of a jam in the bottom of the seventh, but with two outs and runners at first and third, he got a groundout to end the threat.
Ryan Pier began the outburst in the eighth with a single. T.J. Hein was then hit by a pitch, Marcus Adams walked and Hamer, Hazeltine and Smallman all walked to force in runs. Lewis followed with an RBI single and Fagan hit his bases-clearing triple to make it 10-3.
After Sparks took a 1-0 lead in the first, Caron was able to work out of a jam with a runner at third and no outs by inducing a groundout and two popups.
Carson had a chance to tie it in the second when Caron singled, Hein walked and both runners moved up on Sean Costella's sacrifice bunt, but Carson failed to score.
In the third, Nick Smallman singled and scored on Fagan's double.
After Sparks took a 3-1 lead in the fifth, with runners at first and third and one out and the count 2-2, Osmer pulled Caron in favor of Skates. "Our starting pitcher did what he needed to do," Osmer said.
Skates went on to get a strike for a strikeout and struck out the next batter to end the inning. "He was fantastic," Osmer said.
Smallman had two hits and Skates added a double. "That was exciting," Osmer said. "These kids never say die. They come back from adversity.
"Our kids just keep rising to the occasion. We seem to prevail because these kids really want it. I'm really proud of the kids. I can't say enough about the boys."
