The Carson Valley Little League 10-11-year-old All-Stars got off to a strong start in round robin play during the Nevada District I tournament at Washoe's South Valleys Sports Complex earlier this week.
Carson Valley beat Sparks Centennial, lost a close decision to Carson American and beat Reno National 11-10 heading into Thursday's matchup against perennial power Washoe.
Regardless of the outcome of that game, Carson Valley was essentially assured a spot in this weekend's single-elimination action on the basis of its first two wins.
The 9-10-year-olds picked up a big 17-2 win over North Valleys Monday night but came back with a heartbreaking loss to Sparks National Tuesday.
Still, they are expected to take on Washoe in the first round of the elimination bracket Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the South Valleys Sports Complex in Reno.
Against North Valleys, Teddy Mason and Cody Carter each collected three hits to lead the way while Wes Hundley, Jake Mariani, Sullivan Cauley and Seth Trivitt each had two. Trivitt blasted two doubles.
Matt Santos doubled and scored a run and Joe Almeida, Ben Cochran, Kyle Johnson and Austin Evans each had hits. Kaleb Foster hit his second triple of the tournament.
Mariani threw the last two innings of the game to close out the victory and Johnson and Cauley combined to throw the rest of the game.
Against Sparks National, Carson Valley didn't show any problems getting runners on base, it was just a matter of finding the right hit at the right time that slowed the team down.
Four times the team loaded the bases, but it was only able to get one run out of it.
An eight-run third inning by Sparks National did most of the damage on the scoreboard as well.
Carter led the team with three hits and Hundley doubled and scored three runs.
Cauley had two base hits, including one double and Trivitt, Ball, Foster and Evans each had a hit.
Manager Ron Cauley said Ball has been an outstanding baserunner for Carson Valley throughout the tournament. Santos has thrown some crucial innings of relief for the team and Hundley has caught all the games.
"Wes has been doing an outstanding job behind the plate," Cauley said.
-- Joey Crandall can be reached at jcrandall@recordcourier.com or at (775) 782-5121, ext. 212.
