PREPS: Carson softball, Dayton baseball ready for playoffs

Carson High's softball team opens postseason play today at noon when it meets Reed at Bishop Manogue High School.

The teams split this year. Reed won 7-2 and Carson won 8-6.

"The teams are equally matched," Carson coach Scott Vickrey. "We beat up on each other. If we don't play like we're capable of playing we're going to get beat."

Vickrey is undecided on a starting pitcher. He' ll decide between Lou Ashbaugh and Christina Gallegos.

"We'll look at them (throwing) and make a decision," Vickrey said.

Gallegos was ineffective last weekend against Damonte Ranch. Ashbaugh was solid in relief in the first game against the Mustangs, but wasn't quite as sharp in the second game.

Carson battered Shivaun Landeros in the 8-6 win. The Senators have been riding the recent offensive prowess of second baseman Moriah Lane, third baseman-designated player Lisa Yamamoto, catcher K.C. Withrow, shortstop Emily Collins, outfielder-pitcher Christa McGahuey and freshman outfielder Jen Purcell.

Vickrey said the team has looked sharp in practice, and has been working on pitch selection. Vickrey said his team needs to lay off the rise ball, especially when hitters get behind in the count.

3A BASEBALL

Dayton High, 22-3, takes a four-game win streak into its best-of-three series against Truckee, a team it beat 2-1 in a crossover game.

The teams will meet Friday at 3:45 p.m. and then meet in a doubleheader on Saturday, if necessary.

Forrest Burrows, Dayton's starting third baseman has a tender hamstring, and coach Jay Merrell isn't sure what his status is. If Burrows is unable to play, Kyle Farnworth will move into third base and TJ Harnar will take Farnworth's spot in left.

Merrell has slated ace Conner Oliver (8-0, 2.07) to start the opener against the Wolverines. Houston Berntson (5-2, 1.44) will start Game 2 with Timo Ply (5-1, 2.13) scheduled for Game 3 if it's needed.

"We've been doing it this way all year," Merrell said of his pitching rotation. "It's not broke so why fix it."

Merrell expects to see James Depew, who lost 2-1 to Dayton earlier this year.

Dayton is hitting .359 as a team Oliver is hitting .500 with 16 extra-base hits and 28 RBIs. Berntson is at .410 with 30 RBIs, while Ply and Logan Jones are each at .408. Jones has 17 RBIs and Ply has 14. Sam Hadley is at .392 and Logan Garling is at .390.