Holton is in control against McQueen

Carson High, thanks to six strong innings from John Holton, snapped a two-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over McQueen Thursday night at Ron McNutt Field.

Carson improved to 7-3 overall and 3-2 in league play. The Senators will go for a series sweep Saturday at 11 a.m. at McQueen.

“Anytime you get a win in our league it’s a big deal,” Carson coach Bryan Manoukian said. “It’s a very competitive league; a lot of parity.

“I thought John did a really good job. I think it’s the first time he’s started since the Wooster game (season-opening loss). This should re-establish his confidence.”

Holton allowed just three hits before turning the ball over to Cody Azevedo, who pitched a scoreless seventh.

Holton struck out three and walked three, including two in the first inning.

“I felt good,” Holton said. “I felt I had good control with my curveball. I thought I settled down after the walks in the first.”

Holton yielded a lead-off double to losing pitcher Nathan Knowles to start the second, but retired the next three hitters.

Carson took a 1-0 lead in the second without the benefit of a hit. Abel Carter grounded into a double play with the bases loaded, scoring Terek Been, who walked.

McQueen scored its only run in the third when Ty Hutton walked, stole second and scored on Brendan Yawn’s single to tie the game at 1.

Carson took the lead for good in the bottom of the third when Jesse Lopez walked, stole second and third, and scored on Azevedo’s single.

Azevedo has hit safely in seven of the eight games he’s played.

“It’s better than last year which was one giant slump,” Azevedo said.

The Senators struck for three runs in the fifth which essentially put the game out of reach.

Lopez walked and Pradere was hit by a pitch. The pair worked a double steal putting runners at second and third.

Azevedo followed with a fly ball to left which Hutton missed, allowing Lopez to score.

“Left field is tough to play at our place at night,” Manoukian said. “I thought he might have trouble by the way he came in on the ball.”

The miscue forced McQueen to bring the infield in, and Kyle Krebs grounded a ball through the left side for two runs and a 5-1 lead.

McQueen got a runner to second with two outs in the sixth, but on a ball that bounced to the backstop, Krebs threw out Yawn at third.

Azevedo came on in the seventh and hit the first batter he faced, With one out, he got Nathan Mead to hit into a game-ending double play.

NOTES: Krebs extended his hitting streak to eight straight games.

In that stretch he has five multi-hit games ... Carson stole eight bases, three by Lopez, two by Pradere and Azevedo and one steal by Krebs.