RENO - Carson National's 11-12-year-old all-star squad has dug itself a huge hole in the District 1 tournament.
Carson National fell to 0-2 in its pool after dropping a 20-0 decision to perennial powerhouse Washoe Monday at Swope Middle School. The game was stopped after 3 1/2 innings because of the 10-run rule.
The National squad must finish in the top four in its pool to advance to the single-elimination round which starts July 11. Currently there are four squads that have better records so far.
Manager Kevin Hogan's team has until Friday to get back on the right track, and he thinks it will rebound.
"We're still OK," he said after watching his team muster two hits off Adam Bailey and reliever Sean Prihar and make six innings. "We're a good ballclub. We'll bounce back from this. They've seen the worst of it. The next games I hope to see the best of it.
"Washoe is a perennial powerhouse, and they get to do things we wish we could do. They play a lot of tournament ball. We're a small-city program, and it's tough to field that caliber of a team."
Washoe put the game out of reach in its first at-bat, scoring eight runs on four hits, an error, two walks and a hit batsman. Luke Hopper and Taylor Bates drove in two runs apiece, and Ryan Rieger and Tyler Washell each had an RBI.
Whatever intensity Carson entered the game with was soon gone after that huge first inning.
Washoe, which batted around in each of its three innings, added five in the second and seven in the third.
Tanner Murray drove in two of the five runs in the second, one coming on a solo homer. Rieger ripped a grandslam to highlight the seven-run third inning.
Meanwhile Carson only got two runners as far as second base.
In the second, Jacob Price forced Ricky McDonald, who had singled, at second base and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. In the fourth, McDonald walked with two outs and moved to second on Price's single up the middle. Prihar retired the next hitter to end the game.
"It's a good thing," Hogan said of his team being off until Friday. "It will let the kids clear their heads. We'll practice and work out some bugs."
Hogan, who used four pitchers against Washoe, is uncertain of Friday's starter. He said there are two pitchers who have yet to see action.
CARSON VALLEY 14, SOUTH TAHOE 3
Cody Spates slammed a three-run homer in the first inning and Kameron Van Winkle added a solo shot in the fifth inning to spark Carson Valley to its first win in pool play.
Carson Valley returns to action Wednesday at 5:30 against Sparks.
Michael Whalin went 3-for-4 and Ryan Moglich went 3-for-3 for Carson Valley. Austin Hoyt also contributed a pair of hits.
Spike Neri worked the first four innings to pick up the win. Chris Schonlan and Beau Battista each worked an inning.
