For the second night in a row, the Carson Valley Little League Hooligans all-star baseball team used a big sixth inning to take a win.
Carson Valley topped Reno American West 5-3 Thursday night to improve to 2-0 in pool play at Swope Middle School in Reno after beating Sparks Centennial 14-8 Wednesday.
Tied at three in the top of the sixth, Connor Greth led off the with a walk and advanced to second on a single from Michael Doyle.
Caleb Duster was then hit by a pitch to load the bases and Greth scored on a passed ball for the go-ahead run.
With two outs in the inning, Doyle stole home for Carson Valley's final run.
David Neisess started the game on the mound for Carson Valley, taking the team
into the sixth inning, where he induced a Reno American West batter into a ground out with his first pitch of the inning and his final pitch of the night.
"He threw a brilliant game for us," Carson Valley coach Tom Mariani said. "He was aided by a very solid defense."
Having reached his pitch limit, Neisess gave way to Jake Mariani, who threw six pitches in recording the final two outs.
Neisess and Doyle led the team at the plate with two hits each.
Defense was a big key to the game as shortstop Cody Tindel, second baseman
Michael Hoyt and Doyle at third turned in solid plays inning after inning.
Duster had three stolen bases and scored twice as a pinch runner.
"We were able to manufacture runs one at a time, which was big," Tom Mariani said. "Reno got all there runs on some big hits in one inning, but we pulled it out."
He noted stolen bases from Duster, Cooper Jones and a timely bunt from Joey Swisher that kept Carson Valley in the game.
Carson Valley was 2-0 with Friday evening off heading into the final two days of pool play. Single elimination starts Monday.
